Drug-dealing electric biker left boy, 7, with traumatic brain injury in Middlesbrough hit-and-run

Hooded Michael Hill, 24, was speeding down a residential street in Middlesbrough when he crashed into a young boy who is now wheelchair dependent.

A drug-dealing electric bike rider left a seven-year-old child with a traumatic brain injury in a Middlesbrough hit-and-run. Michael Hill was racing around the town on a dark electric bike – despite being banned – along with his pal Lee Oliver, who was riding a moped in a balaclava.

But as the pair rode down a residential street, Hill collided with a young child who had walked out onto the road. The child was knocked unconscious and left in a life-threatening condition, but rather than stay and assist, cowardly Hill and Lee fled the scene.

A court heard that the child was left with a traumatic brain injury and was flown to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) for treatment. The now wheelchair dependent child remains in hospital and has ongoing health issues and disabilities.

On Tuesday, Oliver, 31, of no fixed address, and Hill, 24, of Raby Court, Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Crown Court. Hill was sentenced for causing serious injury by driving whilst disqualified, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop at a road accident, and failing to report an accident.

**Lee Oliver** (Image: Cleveland Police)

Oliver was sentenced for assisting an offender, and driving without a licence or insurance. Both defendants, who appeared at court via link from HMP Holme House, had pleaded guilty.

Riding around Middlesbrough

The court heard that on August 21, Hill – who was hooded – was riding a dark electric scooter around Middlesbrough, along with balaclava-clad Oliver, who was riding a red moped. Earlier that day and merely hours before the crash, Hill had been drugs tested by his probation officer and was found to have cannabis and cocaine in his system.

But as the pair sped down Westminster Road, a seven-year-old boy ran out onto the road, and was hit by Hill. Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said the child’s uncle heard a “plastic scraping noise” outside his home and saw the aftermath of the crash.

He said: “He went outside and saw [the child and Hill] in the middle of the road. A red moped was travelling towards with a man in a balaclava. He saw his nephew lying in the road in the foetal position.”

Hill, who had come off his bike and broken his arm, then attempted to get back onto his badly damaged bike to make off as the child “drifted in and out of consciousness” on the road. The child’s uncle then chased after Hill, who eventually jumped on the back of Oliver’s moped, before the two fled.

Brain injury

The child was flown to the RVI in an air ambulance helicopter after suffering fractures and a traumatic brain injury. Hill went on to change his clothing and got a taxi to Redcar Primary Care Hospital. He told staff he had fallen off his bike after crashing into a tree.

The court heard he was later tracked down from CCTV and arrested at James Cook University Hospital on September 1 as he was being treated for his broken arm. Oliver was arrested later that same day.

Mr Hedworth told the court that the child is still an inpatient at the RVI and will need ongoing care. He said he will have ongoing health issues and disabilities and is currently wheelchair dependent. As yet, there is no planned discharge date for the youngster.

Hill, who had four previous convictions for 13 offences, was also sentenced for dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply cannabis and cocaine, and possession of an offensive weapon, relating to separate matters. The offences were committed on May 1, 2024 and involved Hill riding a motorbike into a police officer.

‘Sorrow and regret’

Oliver had six previous convictions for 12 offences, including attempted robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and dangerous driving. Nigel Soppitt, defending him, said he comes from a supportive family and is almost institutionalised after spending so much time behind bars.

He said: “He did not know the extent of the injuries at the time and has expressed sorrow and regret”. He added that Oliver is a “trusted and valued prisoner”.

Nicci Horton, defending Hill, said he began dealing drugs to pay off debts stemming from his own use. She added that he also suffers from PTSD after being struck by a vehicle himself around five years ago.

Hill also read out a letter to the court, saying the crash “plays on my mind day and night”. He said: “I hope the boy is OK. I apologise to him and his family and want him to know how remorseful I am. Every night I think and hope he is OK. I’m sorry for what I’ve done, and that I didn’t stop to help. I was scared…”

Judge Richard Bennett said the pair showed “cowardice” by fleeing the scene and said the boy had been left with “catastrophic, life changing injuries”. He told them: “His life will never be the same again.”

Hill was jailed for 55 months and was banned from driving for 46 months. He must sit an extended re-test. Oliver was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for 23 months.

Source: TeessideLive