Family of Kingstanding boy Justin Murphy outraged over hit-run driver's release
Aug 16 2010 by Kat Keogh, Birmingham Mail
THE family of a 13-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run accident has spoken of its “disgust” that the driver has walked free from jail.
Tragic schoolboy Justin Murphy was riding his mountain bike home on the last day of term when he was struck by banned driver Darren Bardsley in July 2006.
Bardsley, who had been disqualified 11 times, had taken heroin and was driving a stolen £38,000 car at almost twice the speed limit when he hit Justin – and then drove off.
Justin, of Homerton Road, Kingstanding, was hurled 30 metres into the air before hitting a tree and slumping under another vehicle.
Father-of-two Bardsley was handed an eight-year jail term at Birmingham Crown Court in November 2006 after admitting death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and receiving stolen goods.
But Bardsley, who also received a ten-year driving ban, has been released after serving just half of his sentence.
Justin’s uncle Lawrence said the family were contacted by a probation officer with the news.
The 39-year-old said: “When I got the call I was absolutely gobsmacked. We knew that he would get out one day, but to hear someone say that he was going to be released was just surreal.
“It’s just not right in any way, shape or form. This man was a banned driver, at twice the speed limit, supposedly on drugs but worst of all left the scene of a crime.
“This man will be allowed to get on with his life, be a free man and see his children, but Justin will never have the chance to grow up.”
Scores of mourners lined the streets for the popular Cardinal Wiseman pupil’s funeral in Kingstanding. The talented footballer’s family received a letter from Birmingham City Colts a few days after his death telling them he had been accepted for their team.
