A driver who knocked down and killed a 12-year-old girl as she stepped off the bus after school wept as he walked past her family in court.
David Pursglove, 35, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court when he hit and killed Lexi McDavid with his Mercedes van in June last year. Emergency services rushed to the scene and the Broughton Hall Catholic High School pupil was taken to Alder Hey Children’s hospital where she tragically died a short time later. Today Pursglove choked back tears when he walked past her devastated family to the dock.
David Pursglove choked back tears as he admitted killing Lexi (Liverpool Echo WS)Liverpool Echo reported how prosecutor Angela Conlan said CCTV footage showed Lexi running in front of the bus to cross the road, and "as she entered the second lane [of traffic] she was hit by a van being driven by the defendant". When Pursglove was interviewed by police, he told officers he believed he was driving around 28mph. However, the court heard how CCTV footage showed he was in fact travelling between 46 and 49mph at the time. Ms Conlan said: "The defendant was shocked when he was told the speed." He added Pursglove had been driving as fast as 80mph a short time before the crash.
In brief mitigation, Mike Hogan, defending, said the case was built on "the speed the defendant was going and the consequences of that speed". Mr Hogan asked for unconditional bail for his client which was granted by District Judge James Hatton. District Judge Hatton told Pursglove: "This offence is too serious for this court to pass sentence, so I commit you for sentence at the crown court." However, he added the defendant would receive full credit due to his guilty plea at the first occasion. The judge also made an interim order to disqualify the defendant from driving until he appears for sentence.
Both of Lexi's parents, who were present in court with other family members, have prepared victim impact statements which will also be heard during the sentencing. The 12-year-old was described as "a gorgeous twin with her whole life ahead of her". At a moving vigil in Huyton in June last year, a family member said: "Lexi you were the most loving, caring and absolutely hysterical little girl in the world. We would say you had no idea how much you were loved, but the truth is Lex, you really did already know it. You lit up every room you went in, just with your sassiness alone. You were literally 12 going on 22."
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Pursglove was supported by several family members in court. The defendant answered "yes sir" when District Judge Hatton asked if he understood his comments. Pursglove choked back tears as he left the dock and walked past Lexi's family. He will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on December 1.
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