Teenager who caused death of friend on e-scooter walks free from court

A teenager who caused the death of his 14-year-old friend while riding his e-scooter through a red light and into the path of oncoming traffic has walked free from court.

Jacob Calland was a passenger on the back of the e-scooter and suffered "irreversible" severe brain injuries from the crash in Wythenshawe, Manchester, on 19 March last year. He died in hospital a few days later.

His 14-year-old e-scooter rider, whose mother had only bought the vehicle two weeks before, also sustained serious injuries, including a bleed on the brain and numerous fractures.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to an 18-month rehabilitation order on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving.

Manchester Crown Court heard that while the exact speed of the e-scooter when it was struck by a BMW on Southmoor Road at the junction of Timpson Road could not be determined, it was in a "turbo mode" setting of up to 28mph.

Judge Suzanne Goddard KC told the teenager, now aged 15: "It is clear from dashcam footage, CCTV and eyewitness statements that you were driving at speed when you entered the junction and too fast for you and the driver to avoid the collision.

"I am satisfied your actions were reckless. You were seeking the thrill of riding a scooter at high speed and not thinking of the danger you were placing yourself and Jacob in.

"The e-scooter should not have been used on a public road at all. The use of privately owned e-scooters remains illegal on public roads, cycle lanes, pavements and public parks."

The court heard the boy had a "very unstable, traumatic upbringing", rarely attended school and had not taken a cycling proficiency course, but he has also made "remarkable progress" since the crash after he moved out of the area to live with his father, who was present in court with his son.

Victim's mother 'disappointed' with outcome

Jude Goddard said a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric assessment showed the teenager is "genuinely and deeply remorseful… and is struggling with his feelings of guilt for what he did", adding that Jacob was the boy's friend and he is "deeply upset at the devastation caused to his family".

"I consider that because of his age, background and lack of maturity his culpability is much lower than otherwise would be the case," she said.

She explained sending the teenager to custody "would put him at risk of serious mental health issues, damage his education prospects and increase his risk of reoffending".

The teenager, who had no previous convictions or cautions, was also banned from driving for five years.

Jacob's mother, Carly Calland, said she was "very disappointed" and "not happy" with the verdict.

"I don't think it's giving people the right message. I would have liked a custodial sentence. At the end of the day, he has taken a life," she said outside the court.

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Earlier, she had read her victim impact statement to the court, saying: "My heart has been smashed into a thousand pieces and there is nothing that can be done to fix it.

"Jacob's toothbrush is still in the bathroom and his favourite noodles are still in the kitchen cupboard. The house is so quiet without him and I miss him so much.

"The collision happened on a main road very close to my home. I broke down in tears and had a panic attack just trying to cross the road for the first time after Jacob's death.

"I now avoid driving if I can because I am petrified I could collide with an e-scooter."

(c) Sky News 2026: Teenager who caused death of friend on e-scooter walks free from court