Mother lied to protect lover over her son's car-crush death

A mother whose son died after being crushed by her boyfriend's van told police the child had been the victim of a hit-and-run driver, a court heard yesterday.

Sean Dobson, aged 21 months, died in hospital after being knocked over by disqualified driver Andrew MacGregor as he reversed off her driveway.

The toddler's mother, Victoria Dobson, 23, told medics and police that her son had been struck by a driver who failed to stop.

MacGregor, 30, went along with the lie, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The couple rushed the youngster to hospital in the Ford Transit that had struck him outside Dobson's home in Coseley, West Midlands.

On the way, Dobson phoned the hospital and told them Sean had been the victim of a hit-and-run.

Mark Rees, prosecuting, said: 'When they got to the hospital that is (also) the explanation they gave to staff.

'The same version of events was given to Sean's father when he got to the hospital. The explanation that it was a hit-and-run driver was doubted by the hospital staff. The injuries were more consistent with a crush injury.'

Mr Rees said that when police investigated, 'MacGregor said he went to his van, heard a whimpering sound and saw Sean in the road.

'Both him and Victoria Dobson persisted with that explanation although on numerous occasions they were given the opportunity to change it.'

Tragic: Sean James Dobson died after being run over by Andrew McGregor's van on the driveway of their home

The court heard that MacGregor confessed to his brother the next morning, before going to police.

He told officers he had been going to a shop when the tragedy happened and thought Sean was in bed.

Mr Rees added: 'During police interview Dobson admitted it was her idea to give the explanation that was given because she was worried MacGregor would be in trouble.'

Victoria Dobson pictured arriving at Wolverhampton Crown Court

Dobson and MacGregor, who split up shortly after Sean's death, had both pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

MacGregor, of Bilston, West Midlands, had also admitted driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He was jailed for nine months. Defending MacGregor, Christopher O'Gorman said his client had gone along with a 'half-baked, spur-of-the-moment decision', and was struggling to come to terms with his role in the death.

Dobson, of Coseley, was given a six-month suspended sentence.

Richard Atkins, defending her, told the court she had attempted suicide twice.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Dudley told MacGregor the couple had told a 'serious lie' but said the death was completely accidental.

Dobson refused to comment outside court.

Her father, Philip, 49, said she had panicked and vowed to stand by her.