‘No words can describe the sheer horror’ – sister tells court of agony
IN A victim personal statement read to the court, Kaylan’s sister Olivia said: “There are no words I can put to properly describe the sheer horror caused to me and my family and writing this down caused unimaginable pain.
“Every time I tried I was completely overwhelmed. No real justice can be served today.
“Harley Whiteman has taken something from our family that can never be given back. We live in fear we will have to pass him in the street but we hope it will be a long time before we have to deal with this.
“Kaylan was a bright, intelligent young boy who had his whole life ahead of him, he loved playing rugby and was loved by all that knew him. I dropped to the floor screaming when I heard the worst news of my life, that Kaylan had been hit by a car, and my heart shattered into a million pieces.
“This happened in front of his friends, who had to see their friend die in front of their eyes in the worst possible way. (Whiteman) narrowly missed seriously hurting his friends.
“I am 19 years of age and spend most weekends with my grandmother, who can’t be on her own. Our father sadly died in 2018, all I had left of my dad was my younger brother.
“Now I have to face grief and carry this alone. I was hoping to start employment, but this is near impossible because I’m constantly anxious and depressed.
“I can’t pass the place he was killed, I cannot be in hospital settings, I fear cars driving too fast and don’t want to be in a car myself.
“I cannot be alone; when I am, my mind is 100 miles an hour. I have spent weeks sleeping in my mother’s bed with her, I’ve lost my appetite and cannot sleep.
“Every time I close my eyes I see my brother’s dead body. I felt guilt as if I was abandoning him and at the funeral I had to be pulled from there by my family.
“My grief is suffocating and I feel so alone I can’t breathe. I feel guilty to be happy and question myself every day why Kaylan? Why a young boy who has done nothing wrong? Why not me? I wish it was me, I often wish I wasn’t here any more...
“Kaylan was not killed in a tragic accident, it wasn’t until someone took him from us, someone was to blame and is responsible, which makes it so much worse.
“That person is you [addressing Whiteman] – you killed my 13-year-old brother who had his whole life ahead of him in the most dangerous situation, driving whilst under the influence with passengers in the car. You have shown no remorse. You ruined far more than one life and you deserve to face the consequences.”
In her statement, Kaylan’s grandmother, Kay Hippsley, said: “Since this happened, the actions of Harley Whiteman changed my life and will never be the same again.
“He’s not only taken my grandson from me, he’s ruined a multitude of lives. Kaylan came to live with me eight years ago, which was a huge undertaking in my sixties and I have severe rheumatoid arthritis.
“We lost his dad and my son six years ago. Having him with me got me through the grief and brought moments of joy to my life. He was a 13-year-old boy who will never have the chance to live the life he deserves. To receive a call to say Kaylan had been hit by a car was horrendous and everything changed from then on. I have only been out to the hospital and Kaylan’s funeral. I feel as well as Kaylan’s life ending prematurely mine has too. I have no purpose to my life and I don’t know how I will carry on. I am so angry and devastated, I cannot put it into words.
“I cannot find it in my heart to forgive Harley Whiteman. This will be a small chapter in his life but Kaylan’s life is over and our family will carry the grief and heartache to our dying days.”