'Look what you did to my son': Mother shares pictures showing 16-year-old's horrific injuries which left him learning how to walk and talk again after crash caused by drunk businessman

  • Owen Finn, 64, crashed into student Kiernan Roberts, 16, in his Mercedes 
  • Kiernan suffered a broken neck and severe head injuries in the smash 
  • He is due to leave hospital but will need 24-hour care following surgery
  • Finn fled the scene of the crash and drove 130 miles with broken windscreen
  • He was sentenced to three years for causing serious injury by dangerous driving

By Rachael Burford For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A mother has shared the horrific injuries her teenage son suffered when he was left for dead by a drunk business who crashed into him and then fled in his Mercedes.

Kiernan Roberts was left with a broken neck and severe head injuries when Owen Finn, 64, crashed into him on a dark country road near Grimsby on October 7 last year. The 16-year-old's head was severely disfigured in the smash.

Instead of stopping, Finn, who had been downing wine, spirits and cocktails at a function attended by former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard and Geoffrey Boycott, drove 130 miles to his mother's home in Birmingham with a broken windscreen.

Kiernan Roberts received a broken neck and severe head injuries when Owen Finn, 64, crashed into him on a dark country road near Grimsby

Kiernan Roberts received a broken neck and severe head injuries when Owen Finn, 64, crashed into him on a dark country road near Grimsby

Instead of stopping, Finn, who had been downing wine, spirits and cocktails at a function attended by former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard, drove 130 miles to his mother's home in Birmingham with a broken windscreen

Instead of stopping, Finn, who had been downing wine, spirits and cocktails at a function attended by former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard, drove 130 miles to his mother's home in Birmingham with a broken windscreen

Finn, from Birmingham, was branded a 'coward' in court. He admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for three years. 

He was sentenced to a further four months, to be served concurrently, for failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and drink-driving.

Kiernan's family released the photographs to show the pain and suffering drink driving can cause. 

His mother Marie Roberts told the Grimsby Telegraph: 'He has suffered massive distress due to his head disfigurement and we did not want to add to that.

'But we want Finn to see what he has taken from Kiernan. We want him to see for himself what Kiernan has lost.

'We partly want Finn to see what he has done and not simply think he can dismiss it as a simple 'bad thing', as described by his defending barrister in court.

Before the crash Kiernan (pictured) was star pupil at his sixth form
He is now learning to walk and talk again

Before the crash Kiernan (left) was star pupil at his sixth form. He is now learning to walk and talk again 

Finn was branded a 'coward' in court. He admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for three years

Finn was branded a 'coward' in court. He admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for three years

'And we also want people to see the sheer grit and determination Kiernan has shown over the last nine months, plus the amazing care he has received at Hull Royal and Castle Hill as he has been on the continuing journey.'

Judge Richardson told the court that Kiernan had sustained a fractured skull, spinal chord injuries and had been left paralysed on his right-hand side. 

The teenager, who had been a star pupil at his sixth form and dreamed of growing up to be the 'next Jeremy Paxman', is now learning to walk and talk again. 

Kiernan's family released the photographs to show the pain and suffering drink driving can cause

Kiernan's family released the photographs to show the pain and suffering drink driving can cause

The court heard Kiernan has just this week been released from hospital - nine months on from the horrific crash after having life-saving surgery.

In December, Kiernan underwent a second emergency operation to remove a build-up of fluid on the brain and was left with a misshapen head where his skull was removed.

A shunt was implanted in his brain and the excess fluid was transported to his stomach, which will remain for the rest of his life.

He suffered psychological distress because of his disfigurement and also had severe headaches, as well as the complete loss of use on his right-side upper limb and significantly reduced mobility in his right lower limb.

Kiernan lost three and a half stone and, by March, underwent a third operation to replace the missing skull with a large titanium plate to help correct its shape. 

Judge Richardson said: 'You have shattered the life of a much-loved boy of 16 years. You have also wrecked the life of his loving family.

'You were drunk at the wheel of a high-powered car having been at a social event. You literally ploughed into that boy, who was riding his bike home in a prudent way.'

The court was told how the impact with Kiernan had smashed the windscreen of Finn's Mercedes was smashed on the passenger side.

Judge Richardson added: 'His injuries were truly grievous and there will be life-long consequences.

'You will one day come out of prison and begin to rebuild your life but your victim has had his life permanently sabotaged. That boy will have a real and enduring struggle throughout his life. You are the cause of that.'

 

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