As if what he had done wasn’t bad enough, Kaylem Longhurst’s family then covered up for him – going as far as burning the clothes he’d been wearing at the timeSteve Bagnall Breaking News editor and Ellie Gosley Reporter

14:53, 14 Apr 2026Updated 14:56, 14 Apr 2026

Kaylem Longhurst

Kaylem Longhurst fled the scene after crashing into the young child (Image: North Wales Police)

A family helped a teenager cover up a hit-and-run which left a little boy fighting for his life, a court has heard. Kaylem Longhurst had been illegally riding an off-road motorbike around Shotton in Flintshire, where he then lived, in September 2024.

Arlo Buckley, who was five at the time of the incident, had been crossing the road when the teenager crashed into him. Arlo was left critically injured after he was dragged along the ground by the bike. He required urgent medical care at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and months of further treatment.

Longhurst fled the scene following the collision and a jury found members of his family tried to help him escape justice afterwards, by burning his clothes, hiding the motorbike in an alleyway and driving him away from the scene in a van and taking him to York, North Wales Live reports.

Kaylem Longhurst, 18, had already admitted dangerous driving in relation to the crash. He also admitted driving without a licence, adequate eyesight and insurance.

However he denied perverting the course of justice alongside his mother Terry Follows, 43, and 39-year-old Shane Hunt, the ex-partner of his sister.

They were found guilty of that charge following a trial. Longhurst’s sister Cara Haran, 25, admitted her role in the conspiracy too.

Hunt acted as the driver while Haran burned her brother’s clothes, the court heard. At Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, April 14, Longhurst and his family were sentenced. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

A collage of mugshots

L-R: Terry Follows, Shane Hunt and Cara Haran(Image: North Wales Police)

Longhurst, 18 of Morgan Walk in Nantwich, was sentenced to 14 months detention in a young offenders institute. He was also handed an extended disqualification from driving for two years and seven months and must take an extended retest.

His mum, Follows, of Clwyd Avenue in Shotton, was said to have played a lead role in the conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and was sentenced to 26 months prison.

Hunt, also of Clwyd Avenue, in Shotton, was sentenced to 21 months for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Following the sentencing, temporary detective inspector Katie Davies of the North Wales Police serious collision investigation unit said: “This was a shocking and deeply distressing incident in which a five-year-old child was left with serious injuries, while the person responsible chose to flee the scene rather than stop and help.

“What is particularly concerning is that members of Longhurst’s own family then assisted him in attempting to evade justice, including helping him leave the area and destroy evidence.

“Today’s sentence reflects the diligent work of our officers, in particular detective constable Donna Vernon, and sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue not only offenders, but anyone who seeks to help them avoid accountability.”

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