Boy, 5, learning to walk again after Birmingham crash during family trip for Eid

A young boy aged five is learning to walk again after his family was in a horror smash with a homeless career criminal trying to escape police in Birmingham.

David Poulton had stolen a Ford EcoSport from a Morrisons car park in Coventry when he ploughed into the family of five who had travelled up to the city from the south of England and were heading to Star City to celebrate Eid in April.

Poulton had reached speeds of 80mph as he sped away from officers and drove on the wrong side of the road, speeding through red traffic lights, near Dartmouth Circus.

He hit the family’s VW T-Cross at Heartlands Parkway - injuring three adults and two children, including the five year-old boy who is now going through rehabilitation. His brother aged three suffered less serious injuries, while the three adults suffered injuries including a broken femur. Poulton was arrested and taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries after the crash, which happened just before 2pm on April 30.

Poulton, of no fixed address, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, disqualified driving, failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, handling stolen goods and failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis.

The 41 year-old also admitted possession of cannabis, and the offences he was wanted for at the time. He has more than 40 previous convictions and was wanted for making threats and criminal damage at the time of the arrest. On Friday, (November 10) at Birmingham Crown Court he was jailed for a total of six years, and banned from driving for 18 years.

Sgt Richard Adams, of Birmingham CID, said: “This was an appalling case of dangerous driving. He showed a complete disregard for other drivers, and once he decided to speed the wrong way down a busy road, a collision was inevitable. “It was pure luck that he or other people weren’t killed. Thankfully the family involved are all making good recoveries.”