Driver in court on Demi Leigh death crash charge

May 20 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

Driver in court on Demi Leigh death crash charge

A MAN has been remanded in custody in connection with the hit-and-run which killed a six year old girl.

Ross Robinson, 24, of St Christophers Drive, Huyton, appeared in Knowsley Magistrates Court yesterday in Huyton charged with causing Demi Leigh Royle’s death by dangerous driving.

He will now appear at Liverpool Crown Court on June 2.

Demi Leigh was knocked down by a van in Huyton on Friday evening.

Her parents said her death “leaves a hole that can never be filled”.

She was walking along Astley Road from shops with a 29-year-old woman and a five-year-old friend at about 9.50pm when a van turned off Hillside Avenue, mounted the pavement, and hit her.

A mound of tributes and flowers have been laid at the crash scene including those left by her grandparents, Gary and Lorraine Roberts.

Among the flowers and cards, a simple message from a school friend which read: “I am sad that you have died. I will really miss you not being in my class.

Another of the heart rending messages said: “You will be missed by all. Good night angel.”

Police have revealed that before the fatal crash, a patrol car driving along Derby Road, Prescot, spotted a similar looking van travelling in the opposite direction that attracted their attention.

Officers turned the police car round but lost sight of the van.

Now they want anyone who witnessed the incident to call 0151 777 5730, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.