Esther Halligan

An 18-year-old driver, Sonny Horsfall, was jailed for three years after losing control of his Audi A4 and striking an 84-year-old man in Redcar before fleeing the scene and texting friends that he had killed someone. The victim survived but suffered severe injuries requiring surgery and rehabilitation. Horsfall, who was disqualified from driving and uninsured, had taken pregabalin and filmed himself speeding earlier in the evening. He later expressed remorse, with the court hearing he has PTSD and was assaulted in custody. The judge condemned his behaviour as reckless, while police stressed the case underscores the consequences of unsafe driving.