THE mum of young Leo Durrington revealed she cannot forget the "awful image" of a stolen van coming towards them before it hit her son.

Three-year-old boy Leo was left in a critical condition after being struck by a Ford Transit Connect van on Wigan Road in Leigh which was driven by a 16-year-old who was trying to get away from police.

The teenager lost control at the mini roundabout at the Tamar pub at around 10.30am on October 30 and mounted the pavement before hitting Leo and sending him flying 17m across the pub car park.

Leo was holding his mum's hand and walking with his nine-year-old sister at the time.

The van carried on towards Twist Lane as police ended the pursuit to provide first aid to Leo.

The driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a one year detainment and training order in a youth offenders institute when he was sentenced at Wigan Youth Court last week.

In a victim impact statement heard in court, Leo's mum said: "The awful image of the van coming towards us, seeing our baby hit by the van and seeing his body hit the floor.

"I really thought my boy had gone. As a parent, how do you deal with seeing that?

"I'm completely heartbroken by it all.

"I can't forget the image of my little boy lying on that hospital bed."

Leo's mum left the room before shocking video footage of the moment Leo was hit by the van was shown in court.

Leo, who turned four days after the incident, remains in hospital where his long term prognosis is unknown.

The court heard he is not able to eat or walk at the moment and there may be "cognitive issues".

Following the sentencing, Police Sergeant Lee Westhead of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The devastation caused is all too apparent.

"Leo’s family has been left distraught by what happened that day and I am glad that we were able to identify these teenagers so quickly.

“They showed no regard for anyone other than themselves.

"They left Leo lying in the road without a seconds thought.

“Thankfully the prompt medical attention given to Leo at the scene and the incredible treatment from the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff at Manchester Children’s Hospital, Leo is now recovering in hospital with his devoted family by his bedside.

“On behalf of Leo’s family I’d like to thank the community for their support and well wishes since this incident and the thoughts of everyone at GMP are very much with them as he recovers in hospital.”

The driver pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, ailing to stop for police, failing to stop after a collision, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and a handling charge for the stolen van.

He was banned from driving for five-and-a-half years and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge fee.

The teenager had only been arrested and bailed four days earlier for a number of offences including taking a van without consent, interfering with vehicles, criminal damage to a car and an assault on another youth which was filmed and shared on social media.

A 15-year-old boy, the passenger in the van, was handed a 12-month referral order and told to pay a £20 victim services surcharge fee after admitting to being carried in a stolen vehicle.