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Early release of hit-and-run driver 'disgraceful'

Meleri Williams
BBC News
CCTV shows speeding car hit girl and drive away

The mother of a five-year-old girl struck while scootering on the pavement in a hit-and-run said it's "disgraceful" that the driver has been released from prison early.

Kurtis Dwyer, 35, was given a 14-month prison sentence in March after hitting Casey Wilson in Cardiff in March 2024, but he's been released after two and a half months.

CCTV showed how Dwyer raced off from the scene after the crash on Sloper Road, with Casey narrowly escaping serious injury.

But her mother Rachel Bancroft said her daughter is traumatised, and questioned how the early release was justified.

The Ministry of Justice said Dwyer has been released into home detention curfew after serving half of the custodial period of his overall sentence, and due to him being eligible under the early release scheme.

'Absolutely disgusting that he's out'

Ms Bancroft previously recalled the "out-of-control car" coming out from a junction and "pounding" her little girl on the way to the park.

She said she thought she was dead that day.

On Monday, she said she relives the moment in her head every day.

"He literally took my daughter out from under her feet," she told BBC Wales.

"I just think it's absolutely disgusting that he's out. Absolutely shocking".

Family photo Casey, who has long blonde hair, wears a princess cape and holds a toy magic wand.Family photo
Casey has gone from a lively child to one who is "glued to my hip constantly", her mother said

Ms Bancroft added that her daughter is "petrified of crossing the road".

"To think he'll be walking around in the summer now, with my kids in the park, how can I tell my little one that he's around now?," she said.

"I don't think anyone understands the mental trauma to my little girl.

"I just don't see how it's justified," she added.

Dwyer, of Clare Road, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving before he was given a 14-month prison sentence.

Judge Simon Mills told Dwyer he had shown "cowardice" by driving away and abandoning his vehicle after driving into Casey on Sloper Road.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said that anyone released into home detention curfew faces "strict licence conditions" and must be tagged.

"Those who break the rules can be returned to prison," it added.

It explained that no one is eligible for the home detention curfew scheme unless they have been risk-assessed, and have six months or less left before their conditional release date.