Motorcyclist who fractured 12-year-old girl's skull and left her for dead in York is jailed

A motorcyclist who ploughed into a 12-year-old girl and fractured her skull before riding off has been jailed.

Nathan Lofthouse hid his Kawasaki motorbike and clothes after the collision in York, to try to evade justice.

The girl’s family today said their lives have been “changed forever” following the incident, on Boroughbridge Road.

She was left fighting for her life in intensive care following the incident in June last year, which left her with life-changing injuries.

She needed extensive medical treatment and has still not been able to return to school after months of rehabilitation.

Lofthouse, of Askham Croft, York, was tracked down as part of a major investigation by North Yorkshire Police. Officers also recovered the motorbike, which had drugs in one of the compartments.

When 30-year-old Lofthouse was arrested, he tried to claim that his motorbike had been stolen. He later changed his story and said he didn’t know he’d hit a pedestrian and, although he saw the appeal for information, he had not come forward because he was uninsured.

However, policing proved that he knew he had crashed into the girl and tried to cover his tracks by hiding his bike and clothing.

At Leeds Crown Court in May this year, he pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a collision, perverting the course of justice, having no licence and no insurance and possession of class B drugs, namely cannabis, with intent to supply.

After appearing for sentence at York Crown Court today, a judge sent Lofthouse to prison for two years, ten months. He was also given a 36-month driving ban and the drugs and motorbike have been seized.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Jeremy Bartley of the Major Collision Investigation Team said:

Inspector Jeremy Bartley continued:

“Fortunately, many people out there did the right thing and responded to our appeal, sharing information with us. They were appalled to read about what happened and I’d like to thank everyone who got in touch. This information was fed directly into our investigation and it helped us massively.

“This has been a harrowing and drawn-out ordeal for the girl who Lofthouse injured – who has done exceptionally well in her recovery – and her family. But I hope today’s outcome gives them some comfort as they move on with their lives.”

In a family statement, the victim’s mother said: