A man has been jailed after a four-year-old child was seriously injured in a crash in Reading.
Matthew Haylett, 33, of Shinfield Rise, Reading, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Reading Crown Court on Thursday.
Haylett had previously admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report an accident, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
The offences related to a collision in Rushey Way on 27 February.
Thames Valley Police said the child suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, but has since been discharged and is continuing to recover.
Haylett was also disqualified from driving for three years and eight months and must complete an extended re-test before he can regain his licence.
Det Con Ben Eastment, from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said Haylett had shown “a complete disregard for both the law and the welfare of the victim”.
He said: “This was a reckless and irresponsible course of driving which resulted in a child being seriously injured.
“Following the incident, he did not immediately come forward, and officers carried out extensive enquiries to locate him before he later handed himself in.
“Driving offences of this nature have devastating consequences, and we will always pursue those who put others at risk on our roads.”
