Families living in fear of out-of-control teenager

A TEENAGER who served only 18 months behind bars for killing an eight-year-old boy was last night facing jail after he admitted being involved in a high-speed police chase.

Clare Conroy said she was disgusted that Lindo had been back behind the wheel of a car and putting other people’s lives in jeopardy with his reckless behaviour.And the heartbroken mother of Daniel Conroy-Curtin claims Ashley Lindo needs to be stopped before he kills again.

“I’m disgusted – it was only a matter of time,” she said. “He has claimed he has shown remorse for killing Daniel, but this shows that he hasn’t.

“I was disgusted with the sentence that he got, I knew from the beginning that he would do this again – something needs to be done to stop him before he kills another innocent child.

“There was no justice for Daniel at the time and I don’t think there will be justice this time either. I know nothing will bring Daniel back, but he needs to be stopped before he kills again.

“This time he was lucky that he didn’t kill anyone, but who says he will be that lucky again? This is down to the judicial system to sort out and stop him re-offending time and time again.”

Lindo, of Orwell Street, Middlesbrough, was known to the authorities for at least three years before he killed Daniel by driving a car that hit him as he played on parkland in 2006. He had been the subject of an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) and two supervision orders for dangerous driving.

Following his sentencing in 2006, protestors gathered outside Teesside Crown Court to express their anger at its perceived lenience.

Yesterday, the 18-year-old was back before the courts when he admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and aggravated vehicle taking.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told Lindo was involved in a high-speed police chase on February 5, which resulted in him crashing into railings along Marton Road, Middlesbrough.

The teenager was released from a young offenders’ institution in November 2007 after serving half of a three-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard that he was spotted driving erratically along Marton Road and was followed by the police.

Nigel Hedley, prosecuting, said Lindo drove off in the stolen Fiat Punto, weaving across the road at high speed and driving through red lights. The short chase ended when Lindo lost control of the car and ploughed into railings at the side of the road.

Simon Walker, representing Lindo, said: “He made a full and frank admission as soon as he was arrested and has expressed remorse.

“Effectively, he has accepted his fate and realises that he will be returning to custody.”

The teenager was remanded in custody and will appear at Teesside Crown Court next month when he will be sentenced.

There was a public outcry when Lindo was sentenced to three years for killing Daniel as he played on a footpath in Riverside Park, Middlesbrough.

After serving half of his sentence, he was released on licence.

As part of the conditions of that licence, Lindo was not allowed to go near Ayresome Primary School, where Mrs Conroy works, or approach her or her family. However, she said he had provided her with written answers to seven questions she had about what happened the day Daniel was hit.

Last night, Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon called on the Government to strengthen the law to stop Lindo from continually reoffending.

“I said at the time that this young man is a danger to society,”

he said. “Some criminals can be rehabilitated, but he is one that I don’t believe can be. He has all the hallmarks of a career criminal.

“He is an absolute danger behind the wheel of a car and this latest incident is another warning.

“I can give you a cast-iron guarantee that if something isn’t done about this person, he will kill someone else because of his reckless driving.

“The justice system is at fault for creating these situations.

Judges are bound by legislation to give specific sentences, which don’t always fit the crime.

“The Government has a duty to protect the public but unfortunately, the judges’ hands are tied behind their backs through its legislation.

Hopefully, this time the judge will be able to issue an appropriate sentence to Lindo.”

Road safety campaigner Jan Woodward, who lost her daughter to a drunken driver, maintains that lenient sentences are creating a legacy of future problems.

The Billingham mother, whose daughter Kelly was killed in 2006, launched a petition calling for driving bans, imposed for such crimes, to begin only when offenders have left prison.

Currently, offenders serve their driving ban while behind bars, leaving them free in some cases to get behind the wheel on their release.

She said: “This must have been devastating news for Clare. How can this person be out driving again without a licence? He clearly has no concept of what he has done to this family.

“The sentences that are handed down don’t send out a strong enough message – the Government needs to do something to clamp down on motorists reoffending.”

Lindo's reign of terror on the streets

October 2003: Thirteen-year-old Ashley Lindo is made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order after a court hears he had brought terror to the streets surrounding his Middlesbrough home.

January 2004: The teenager is the subject of a television documentary when film makers from BBC’s Inside Out look at whether the Asbo is a successful tool in tackling crime.

January 2005: Lindo is given an 18-month supervision order for stealing cars and driving dangerously. A few months later, a second supervision order is imposed for similar offences.

January 2006: The teenager is given a conditional discharge for possession of cannabis.

May 2006: Now aged 16, Lindo takes a Metro car and crashes into eight-year-old Daniel Conroy-Curtin (left).

He runs away leaving the youngster lying fatally injured.

August 2006: Judge Peter Fox sentences Lindo to three years in custody after he pleads guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. The court hears the incident occurred just weeks after he was released early from the previous court supervision order.

September 2006: Daniel’s friends and family gather outside Teesside Crown Court to protest at the length of the sentence handed down to the youngster’s killer.

October 2006: Daniel’s mother, Clare Conroy, speaks out after the two passengers in the stolen car that killed her son are given longer sentences than the driver.

November 2006: Mrs Conroy takes part in the Walk for Justice to campaign for tougher sentences for violent offenders.

May 2007: Mrs Conroy marks the first anniversary of her son's death by planting an apple tree in the grounds of Ayresome Park School, in Middlesbrough, where Daniel attended. During the visit, she sits on the friendship bench which was installed in his memory.

August 2007: Daniel’s mother says “no justice has been served” after learning Lindo will be freed in three months after serving just 18 months in a young offenders’ institution.

November 2007: Lindo is released after serving half his sentence. Mrs Conroy tells The Northern Echo he has never apologised for killing her son.

April 2008: Now 17, the teenager is back behind bars after breaching the terms of his licence.

February 2009: Lindo admits dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and aggravated vehicle taking. The court hears he was involved in a high speed police chase.