The “shameful” actions of a 68-year-old Shropshire man left a 10-year-old cyclist dying in the road, a court heard.

Roy Clive Allen, of Station Road, Meole Village, Shrewsbury, failed to stop immediately after hitting Lee Thompson-Walker on July 28 last year, on the A470 at Llanrwst in Conwy. The youngster died in hospital the following day.

Despite eventually going back to the scene to ensure Lee was being treated, Allen did not turn himself in and was not visited by police until 45 days later – after they had traced him through CCTV images.

At Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday, Allen admitted failing to stop at the scene of the accident and failing to report it.

In a statement read out in court, Lee’s mother Elizabeth Thompson said she was having a hard time coming to terms with Allen’s actions. 

She said: “I am very angry. At the time I believed Lee had just fallen off his bike.

“I have tried to deal with that ever since I found out a car was involved and they did not come forward. I am having difficulty with coming to terms with that also.”

Allen will be sentenced on February 11. 

Jean Bryson, chairman of the bench, told Allen: “You appear to have had no intention of reporting that accident and we find that shameful.” 

Gareth Preston, prosecuting, said police had to trace Allen through CCTV images and by contacting Jaguar Land Rover for records of its Freelanders.

Mr Preston said Lee had been riding his bike with friends when the accident happened. He said Lee hit a wall and he fell into the road.

The court heard Lee suffered several injuries. 

Mr Preston said police did not realise a car had been involved until later investigations were carried out. 

Gwyndaf Parry, for Allen, said: “There’s nothing to suggest that anything Mr Allen could have done on that day in relation to his driving would have made any difference to the tragic consequences. 

“He did stop, but he did not stop early enough. He was at the scene and saw things were being dealt with, so it’s not a case of hit and run and callously leaving the scene. 

“He is exceptionally remorseful.”

By Rebecca Lawrence