by Paul Hooper

A Ramsgate man has paid a heavy price for driving his car without insurance.

Christopher Huntlea, 20, couldn't afford the payments for his
Vauxhall Corsa because he had six points on his licence - so he
drove without cover.

But Canterbury Crown Court heard how his car was involved in a
tragic accident in which a 17-year-old student died.

Huntlea, of Hollicondane Road, has been sent to a young
offenders' institute for eight months for causing death while
uninsured.

Huntlea, who pleaded guilty, also admitted four specimen charges of driving while insured between July and September last year and failing to stop after an accident.

Judge Adele Williams told him: "You did not, of course, set out
that day to kill someone and I accept you have shown genuine
remorse for your actions and that you have to live with this
event for the rest of your life.

"But driving while uninsured is a very irresponsible act."

The court heard popular student Christopher Allum was at St
Lawrence College at a sports afternoon when he was laughing and joking with his best friend.

As they were racing each other, Christopher stepped into Holly
Road as Huntlea's car was passing.

He died from his injuries.

The court heard that Huntlea was not speeding at the time
and the road had parked cars on both sides.

But Prosecutor James Bilsand said that despite his windscreen
being shattered, Huntlea did not stop but drove the short
distance to his home.

He told his father about the accident and returned to the scene
and told the police.

Kerry Waitt, defending, said Huntlea hadn't adopted a "devil-may-care" attitude, and was not showing off, and had not been drinking.

"This is not a case of a callous young man not caring or being
indifferent, and he made no attempt to avoid responsibility."

Huntlea was also banned from driving for two years.