A 13-year-old boy has been sentenced to two years in custody today, Wednesday 29 November, for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving. The sentencing follows the death of Marcia Grant earlier this year.
The incident occurred on Wednesday 5 April, when officers responded to a collision between a car and Marcia Grant on Hemper Lane in the Greenhill area of Sheffield. Despite the efforts of emergency services, 60-year-old Marcia succumbed to critical injuries at the scene, as confirmed by a post-mortem examination attributing her death to multiple injuries.
The unnamed 13-year-old, who initially faced murder charges, was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving and possessing a bladed article in a public place. The defendant pleaded guilty to these charges at a hearing on 3 October.
At the sentencing today at Sheffield Crown Court, the teenager received a two-year custodial sentence in a youth offending institution. In addition to the custodial term, he has been disqualified from driving for six years and is required to take an extended driving test upon the conclusion of the disqualification period.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Bowell, the Senior Investigating Officer, expressed condolences to Marcia’s family, acknowledging the profound impact of her loss. Bowell emphasised the difficulty faced by Marcia’s family, noting that the criminal justice process provides little resolution or closure for them.
A statement from the family of Marcia Grant reflects their anguish over the past eight months, describing the ordeal as torture compounded by disappointment in the criminal justice system. The family expresses a belief that the evidence suggests a disregard for human life and clear premeditation by the defendant. They also highlight decisions by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, asserting that these decisions played a crucial role in the circumstances leading to Marcia’s death.
