A 19‑year‑old was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years in prison and stripped of his licence for a daylight hit‑and‑run that maimed a 22‑year‑old in Hartlepool, County Durham. The court heard that Liam Kenny had consumed six pints of lager and cocaine before riding a motorbike he did not own, ultimately colliding with Ryan Cameron on a 20 mph zone.

Blood‑Alcohol and Cocaine Levels Far Exceeded Legal Limits

Police breath tests showed Kenny’s blood‑alcohol content was 100 µg per 100 ml of breath, more than double the legal 35 µg limit, while toxicology later revealed he was almost four‑and‑a‑half times over the drink‑drive threshold and twelve times over the drug limit. according to the court record, these impairments were decisve factors in the sentencing.

Speeding in a 20 mph Zone Fueled the Fatal Collision

CCTV captured Kenny tearing through a designated 20 mph area on Northgate, weaving dangerously before slamming into Cameron, who was waiting to cross. The footage, released by Cleveland Police, shows the victim being thrown into the air, sustaining a severe brain injury that still requires intensive rehabilitation.

Owner of the Motorbike Also Convicted for Unlicensed Use

Adam Nixon, 22, the registered owner of the motorbike, was found guilty of permitting an unlicenesd and uninsured rider to use the vehicle, as well as drug driving. He received a 17‑month driving ban , a fine and court costs, underscoring the broader liability of vehicle owners in such offences.

Family’s Testimony Highlights the Human Toll

During the hearing, Andy Cameron, the victim’s father, described the moment he saw his son lying on the road, surrounded by strangers trying to help. "The only thing going through my head at that time was I needed to get up there for him," he said, a sentiment echoed by Detective Constable Aileen Ward, who warned of the devastating impact dangerous driving has on families and communities.

Unanswered Details About the Six‑Hour Pub Session

The report notes Kenny spent “almost six hours drinking at a pub in Headland” before the crash, but it does not specify whether staff intervened or if any other patrons reported his condition. Additionally, the exact model of the motorbike and whether it was insured for any purpose remain unclear.

As reported by Cleveland Police, the court’s decision aims to send a clear message that reckless, impaired riding will not be tolerated. The sentencing reflects both the severity of the injuries inflicted and the comounded offences of drink‑driving, drug‑driving and unlicensed vehicle use.