The family of a seven-year-old boy who was hit by a van and left dying in the road “like an animal” have said they “forgive” the driver as he was sentenced.

William Brown was pronounced dead at the scene on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade in Folkestone, Kent, after he was struck by Stewart Powell’s grey Peugeot van, throwing him into the path of another car on December 6 last year.

The 49-year-old saw William lying in the road after hitting him with his van but left the scene, Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday.

Speaking outside court, William’s mother Laura Brown said: “We do forgive Stewart because we want to move on with our lives.

“We’re hoping we can work together in the future… make a change. That’s what we really want to do, make Will’s life noted, make change for future people.

“Too many hit and runs (are) happening in the UK, it’s unbelievable until you’re in it you don’t realise… it just happens all the time.

“We need change to happen immediately but hopefully this will shine a light on it today.”

The mother is campaigning for a change in the law to make hit-and-runs where someone dies a maximum life imprisonment offence.

The online petition on Change.org has so far gained more than 8,500 signatures.

Earlier in court, Ms Brown, hit out at Powell for leaving her son in the road “like an animal” and said he “deserved better”.

“Stewart stood watching the catastrophic incident unfold. He made a conscious decision to get back into his van and leave him,” she said.

“That behaviour is simply inhumane.

“We had to deal with the hammer blow someone hit him and left the scene.”

She added: “The not knowing who killed William tortured my mind. I was begging the van driver to come forward. Stewart’s actions prolonged suffering we were already enduring.”

Prosecutor Julie Farbrace said Powell had driven a short distance after the collision and saw CPR being carried out on William as he lay in the carriageway, but fled the scene as he “panicked”.

He called 999 the following day, telling officers “the whole f****** thing just stressed me out” as he described how William had run out in front of him.

I know William would forgive Stewart... I forgive you, Stewart

The father-of-two appeared emotional as William’s parents read statements in court on the devastating loss of their son.

William Brown Snr said: “It was cowardly not to stop and keep driving, Stewart.”

But he said: “I know William would forgive Stewart… I forgive you, Stewart, I give your family peace and restoration.”

He added that his son should not have been in the road, and that the accident “could have happened to anyone”, adding: “I hope we can all consider road safety a priority moving forward… so William’s life is not wasted.”

Your punishment will go far beyond the sentence I impose on you this morning

Defending Powell, Adrienne Wright said the incident was out of character for him and it was “sheer panic”, not being able to handle what was going on in front of his eyes.

“Not a moment passes that he does not regret his decision,” she said.

Sentencing Powell, District Judge Claire Luxford said: “Your punishment will go far beyond the sentence I impose on you this morning.

“By leaving the scene you denied police the opportunity to investigate other offences.

“Having accepted being a cannabis user at the time, and having used cannabis that day.”

Reacting to the sentence, Ms Brown also said she believed because of aggravating factors the case “possibly should have been dealt with at crown court”.

Of her son, she told reporters: “He was a beautiful, kind, really sweet fun-loving little boy.

“It’s sports day today, it’s his favourite day so this is even more special to be here today and speak for him, he would have loved it.

“He would have forgave Stewart, like his dad said, he’s a good boy.”

Powell, of St Mary’s Bay, who pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of the accident and driving without valid insurance, was sentenced to 14 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, a curfew and a driving ban for 12 months.