Man admits causing the death of Violet-Grace, four, in hit-and-run

A MAN has admitted causing the death of a four-year-old girl in a hit-and-run.

Violet-Grace Youens was struck while walking in St Helens, Merseyside, on March 24.

Aidan McAteer, 23, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court via prison video link to causing her death by dangerous driving.

Violet-Grace’s mother, Rebecca, wept in the public gallery as she sat hand-in-hand with husband Glenn.

McAteer also admitted causing serious injury to VioletGrace’s grandmother, Angela French, 55, who is recovering in hospital.

His co-defendant, Dean Brennan, 27, also appearing from HMP Liverpool, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and assisting an offender. Both will be sentenced next month. Judge Dennis Watson QC told the pair they were facing lengthy jail sentences as he further remanded them in custody. McAteer sat with his head bowed for the majority of the 13-minute hearing. Mr and Mrs Youens did not take their eyes off the screen showing the defendants as they were joined in a packed public gallery by family and friends all wearing violet-coloured ribbons. In the days after the crash, McAteer’s mother Alicia made a public appeal for her son to return home after he fled the country. The next day he was arrested – thought to be at Manchester Airport – and questioned by detectives.

Brennan admitted obtaining McAteer’s passport and supplying it to him.

Mrs Youens dyed her hair violet for the funeral service of her daughter held earlier this month.

Mourners were told to wear violet for the service at St Julie’s Church in Eccleston, St Helens, and many youngsters wore superhero costumes for the ceremony.

A coffin, decorated with rainbows and characters from the animated film Trolls, was brought to the church in a horse-drawn carriage before being carried into the building by Mr and Mrs Youens and other family members. Mrs French attended the service in a wheelchair.

After her death, the family said the donation of Violet-Grace’s organs had saved two other lives.