Tragedy of boy, 12, who won three-year cancer battle only to be knocked down and killed by speeding driver

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:28 PM on 4th August 2010

A boy of 12 who had beaten cancer and triumphed over a number of disabilities was knocked down and killed by a speeding driver, a court has heard.

Steven Atkinson was crossing a road on his bicycle when he was struck by a Mini being driven at almost twice the speed limit by 21-year-old Ross Telfer.

He died hours after the Sunderland accident in hospital.

The youngster, who was said to have 'an infectious love of life', was born with a cleft palate, a jaw defect, curvature of the spine, deafness in one ear and an eye he could not move.

While still a toddler he was diagnosed with leukaemia, but beat it after a three-year fight.

At Newcastle Crown Court yesterday Telfer, Chester le Street, admitted causing Steven's death by careless driving.

Prosecutor Peter Gair told the court: 'The prosecution case is he was travelling no less than 53mph in a 30 mph zone.'

The case was adjourned for reports, but Judge Brian Forster warned Telfer he faced prison.

Steven's family and friends packed the public gallery for the short hearing yesterday.

Many were visibly upset and did not wish to comment afterwards.

Speaking just after the crash, the youngster's mother, Violet, 37, said: 'He had thousands of friends - he was liked by everybody.

'I can't think of anyone who would get through what he went through.
'He was so brave and he wasn't afraid of anything.

'He is going to be so missed.

'I've had all his friends, little lads coming to the door to tell me how much they will miss him, we all will.'

Mrs Atkinson added that watching her boy overcome so much had made the sudden loss all the more cruel.

Throughout his cancer ordeal he won the hearts of the medics who treated him, and 'lit up' the community he lived in, including players and managers at Sunderland AFC he adored.

Among those paying tribute at the family home with father Graeme, 39, brother John, 16, and sisters Dawn, 13, and Katie, three, was the headteacher of Grindon Broadway Primary School, where he went until he was 11.

Violet said: 'He never looked at his health as a problem, he lived every minute of his life. I was very, very proud of him, everyone who met him was.

'He loved anything he wasn't supposed to.

'If doctors said he couldn't play sport, then that's all he would want to do.

'He had natural courage. He will be dearly missed by us all.'

His grandparents Gloria and Joseph Dobinson, 58, and 65, added: 'He lit up all of our lives and he will always be missed.

'He had been through so much to have this happen.'

From: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1300301/Boy-won-year-cancer-battle-knocked-killed-speeding-driver.html