Teenage e-bike rider who seriously injured seven-year-old boy in crash while speeding through red light is jailed for 18 months

DAILYMAIL.COM • 3h ago

By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER 12:36 04 Oct 2026, updated 12:48 04 Oct 2026

A teenage e-bike rider who seriously injured a seven-year-old boy after speeding through a red light and crashing has been jailed for 18 months.

Callean Wyburn, 18, and two friends were seen driving dangerously on the electric motorcycles as they approached a pelican crossing in Christchurch, Dorset, on June 10 last year.

A witness who saw them weaving in and out of traffic and on the wrong side of Fairmile Road said she thought they would ‘kill someone’.

The group ignored the red light and Wyburn, who was 17 at the time, crashed into the young boy who was riding a scooter and crossing the road with his mother.

He suffered serious facial injuries when he hit the ground, including the loss of a tooth and a fractured jaw.

His mother described him ‘screaming loudly’ and bleeding heavily after the horrifying crash.

Wyburn refused to take off his helmet and gave a false name before fleeing the scene on the unregistered bike, with members of the public unsuccessfully chasing him.

But he handed himself in to police the following day.

Wyburn pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving as well as driving without a licence or insurance.

His actions were described in court as ‘completely reckless, stupid, unthinking and immature’.

Judge Brian Forster said the case was a ‘tragedy for everyone’ involved but the offence was so serious, only immediate custody was appropriate.

Afterwards Wyburn’s father could be seen remonstrating with his defence barrister, demanding to know why she didn’t get him off.

The court heard the incident happened on Fairmile Road in Christchurch, Dorset, on June 10 last year when the boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, and his mother were walking to pick up his brother from Cubs.

Jade Phillipou, prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, said: ‘At about 7.30pm the victim was walking with his mother to collect his brother, they reached the pedestrian crossing which showed green and started to cross.

‘The defendant was witnessed driving dangerously – at speed, driving on the wrong side of the road, failing to slow down approaching the crossing and failing to stop at the red light.

‘He collided with the child which knocked the child to the ground causing serious injury. His face was bloodied, he was heard to be screaming, his mother was clearly very distressed.

‘The defendant came to an involuntary stop as he collided with a stationary vehicle.

‘A number of members of the public surrounded him. He assured them he was not going to leave but gave a false name of James and refused to take off his helmet.

‘A few minutes later he drove off to make his escape. He did not check on the welfare of (the boy).

‘Witnesses did attempt to follow him but were unsuccessful as he drove off at such speed.

‘The crown say this was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road and complete disregard for the risks of dangers to others.’

The young boy suffered a large cut to his cheek, which has left him permanently scarred, one tooth was knocked out and another was pushed up into his gum, causing a small fracture to his upper jaw.

The court heard his medical treatment is ongoing and his damaged teeth have fused directly to his jaw, meaning they will not grow with him.

Reading a victim impact statement to the court, the boy’s mother said: ‘It has had a profound and lasting impact on our family. His brother heard his screams from Cubs and that moment has stayed with him.

‘As his mother I carry a huge amount of guilt, I told him it was safe to cross.

‘What was once a simple everyday activity has become a source of fear for him.

‘The knowledge (our son)’s injuries were completely avoidable is hard to come to terms with.

‘It’s agonising to know he’s facing further pain and medical interventions because of something that should never have happened.’

The court heard Wyburn has no previous convictions and was doing well at college despite ‘significant trauma in his background’ including spending time in the care system and lacking role models.

Sarah Brown, defending, said Wyburn was in shock and panicked after the accident.

She said: ‘Since handing himself in he has done all he can to try and show how devastated he is by what has happened.

‘What happened that day was completely reckless, stupid, unthinking and immature.

‘The court will no doubt see many young people on electric bikes who just don’t think and that’s what we have here.

‘This could have ended much worse with the reckless manner of driving, that’s not lost on Mr Wyburn. He’s so deeply sorry.’

She said sending him to prison could make him more at risk of reoffending due to influence by others.

Judge Brian Forster KC said: ‘This case is a tragedy for everyone.

‘You were driving at speed and in and out of the traffic and on the wrong side of the road.

‘Lucy Palmer said “gosh they are going to kill someone riding like that”.

‘Following the accident you panicked and left the scene. This underlines your lack of maturity.

‘You have had to cope with much during your young life, you have done well to make progress against that difficult background.

‘I cannot suspend the sentence, the facts of the case are so serious that in my judgement only an immediate sentence can be imposed.’

Wyburn was sent to a young offenders’ institution for 18 months, disqualified from driving for two years on his release and will need to take an extended retest before he can drive again.

The judge also praised the many members of the public who assisted at the scene.

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