Mother 'haunted' after hit-and-run driver left son, 18, dying at roadside

Marcus Simmons-Allen was crossing George Richards Way in Broadheath with a friend on the night of October 10 when he was struck by Connor Matthews, who was driving a stolen Volkswagen Scirocco at around twice the speed limit.

Marcus's friend ran to find the 18-year-old's mother, Paula Allen, but Matthews drove into the distance, prosecutor David Lees told Manchester Crown Court on February 8.

Ms Allen rushed to the road, which was in view of her home. Marcus was still alive, although he died at Salford Royal Hospital in the early hours of the following morning.

Marcus Simmons-Allen.

In a statement, in which she broke down several times, she said: "I found him like a bag of rubbish on the side of the road.

"I knew he was in a bad way, in a really bad way.

"I was helpless. I couldn't save him. It haunts me."

The day of Marcus's death was meant to be his first at college. The ex-Wellington School student was chasing a career in engineering, overcoming a series of health issues to do so.

Marcus Simmons-Allen.

He had two young sisters, who are now struggling emotionally and mentally, according to their mother.

Ms Allen said: "In the blink of an eye, their brother was taken from them on a road so familiar to them.

"I miss my son so much. The pieces of my heart I'll be forever picking up."

In mitigation for Matthews, who was arrested five days after he abandoned the car and fled to Liverpool, Dominic Thomas told Judge Hilary Manley he was 'profoundly sorry'.

CCTV of the Volkswagen Scirocco.

He was not the one who stole the Volkswagen Scirocco from Oldham in September, but he was one of a number of people to use it, although he did not have a driving licence.

Matthews, then 22, admitted causing death by dangerous driving – as well as driving without insurance or a licence – at the first opportunity on November 22.

Mr Thomas said: "He is profoundly sorry and he'll always be profoundly sorry.

"He knows it is unfair he is still here while Marcus is gone."

At sentence, Judge Manley paid particular attention to Matthews's criminal record, which contains 12 offences such as another instance of driving without insurance or a licence.

She said: "Unlike Marcus, you didn't have to strive to overcome difficulties in your childhood. Instead, you were in trouble with the police and the youth court.

"Marcus was fatally injured in view of his own home. His mother had to find him where he was flung.

"He has no future and his family have nothing to look forward to that won't bring with it the searing ache of his absence."

Matthews, of Portland Road in Stretford, was sentenced to six years and eight months, half in prison, the rest on licence.