The parents of a little boy knocked down and killed near his home say “justice has been done” as the driver was found guilty.
Alex Radan, two, was hit by a car in Dumfries, Scotland, in April 2021. The youngster was rushed to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary but died a short time later.
Alan Dalrymple 57, was charged with driving his Honda Civic car without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or public place and to have failed to maintain proper observations. He denied the charge but was found guilty by a majority verdict after trial by a jury last Friday.
As the verdict was delivered, Alex’s mother Cristina sobbed then hugged her husband George before both parents embraced friends in the gallery during emotional scenes, the Daily Record reported. The trial lasted five days at Dumfries Sheriff Court and jurors heard and saw evidence including CCTV footage of the incident plus items of clothing which belonged to Alex, including his tiny blue Adidas trainers and toy scooter.
Forensic pathologist Dr Julie McAdam told the case Alex suffered 55 injuries and “the most significant were to the head”. She added: “Our findings in the case indicated the little boy was dead very quickly.” Dalrymple gave no evidence during the entire trial and will be sentenced on March 27 and was disqualified from driving in the meantime.
Screaming children barricaded themselves in bedroom as thug strangled their mumAlex’s parents issued a statement outside court after the verdict had been delivered. They said: “We are relieved by the guilty verdict delivered. We feel justice has been done for our son, Alex.
“Our family, including our oldest son, can now look to the future. We wish to acknowledge the hard work of our legal representatives and the support of our friends, family and the local community.”
At the time, witnesses told the : “It’s so very sad. The boy had been playing at the park and it was when he was crossing the road that he was hit by the car.
“It is every parent’s worst nightmare. This has been a terrible accident. Not only has a wee boy lost his life but a family has lost their child. The driver will be in pieces as well.”