A MAN has appeared in court charged with driving offences relating to a hit-and-run which left a boy injured in hospital.

Gareth Shaun Ross, 31, pleaded guilty to four offences and denied one count of dangerous driving at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

The charges are in connection with an incident at a crossing on Burn Lane, in the town, on Saturday, June 23, when 14-year-old Kian Murphy was struck by a vehicle.

The Woodham Academy pupil suffered a head injury and a deep gravel rash on his back.

Ross, of Bates Close, Newton Aycliffe, yesterday admitted he failed to stop after a road accident which caused injury to Kian.

He also admitted aggravated vehicle taking and vehicle damage under £5,000, one count of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Magistrates were told Ross also faced a charge of careless driving but the charge was replaced with dangerous driving – to which he pleaded not guilty.

It is alleged Ross overtook another vehicle at a crossing place and struck Kian, who was on the other side of the road.

Ross, who was represented by Warren Ridley, was wearing a green T-shirt, jeans and trainers.

He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

David Carr, chairman of the bench, declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Durham Crown Court for trial on the charge of dangerous driving.

Ross will be sentenced for the admitted charges following the trial.

He is due to appear at Durham Crown Court on Friday, September 14.

At the time of the incident, Kian’s family hailed his escape from fatal injuries a “miracle”.

His father Michael Murphy, of Newton Aycliffe, praised the care given to his son by a quick-thinking taxi driver who stopped his car to help.

He told The Northern Echo in June he believed his son’s late nana, Doreen Lambert, had been watching over him.