A MAN has appeared before Blackburn magistrates and admitted being the driver of the car which hit an eight-year-old boy in Bacup on Thursday.

Anthony McKenna also admitted fleeing the scene of the crash which resulted in the boy being airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

McKenna, 34, of Newchurch Road, Bacup, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury while driving while disqualified, unauthorised vehicle taking aggravated by an accident which resulted to injuries to the boy, driving while disqualified and without insurance, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident and driving without due care and attention.

He was sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on July 23.

The magistrates made an order prohibiting publication in print or on the internet anything that might lead to the boy’s identification.

Adam Bonney, prosecuting, said the boy was playing on his scooter on Newchurch Road, Bacup, when he was hit by a BMW driven by McKenna. The car belonged to McKenna’s mother and she had not given him permission to drive it.

An off-duty police officer administered first aid until he was joined by a paramedic, also on her way to work.

The officer was told by witnesses that the child had been hit by a BMW which had left the scene. The car was traced to McKenna's mother’s address and she said he had told her he had been involved in an accident and he was frightened. “He eventually surrendered himself to the police,” said Mr Bonney.

Gareth Price, defending, said he couldn’t argue against the case being finalised at the Crown Court.

“What will be noted in due course is that my client presented himself to the police, made a full and frank admissions and expressed his sincere remorse,” said Mr Price. “He is realistic about the eventual outcome of these proceedings and he does not apply for bail today.”