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A grit lorry driver who left a 13-year-old boy with life-threatening injuries has been sentenced by magistrates.

Gareth Marchant, 38, of Pen y Bryn, Penyrheol, admitted a charge of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving and was handed a 24-month community order at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Thursday October 10.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

The court was told how Marchant had been driving a Caerphilly Council DAF gritter lorry along the Lansbury Park Distributor Road on March 9 last year, when he collided with the 13-year-old boy at 8.20am.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of a court-imposed order banning his identification, was taken to University Hospital Wales via the Wales Air Ambulance.

His injuries at the time were described by police as “life-threatening”. He was released from hospital later the same month.

In the days following the crash, there were calls to improve the safety of the Lansbury Park Distributor Road, which runs from Bedwas Bridge roundabout to the Van Road roundabout.

Councillor Elaine Forehead, who represents the Van ward, told Caerphilly Observer at the time: “I think there’s a lack of driver awareness on that road. It’s deceptive because it looks rural and can be hard to drive on at 30mph.”

There is a crossing point where the collision happened, but there are no road markings – only signs telling pedestrians they are not allowed beyond a certain point.

Cllr Forehead said she spoke to the council about putting a formal crossing in place near to where the boy was hit, but was told it did not match the council’s criteria.

A council spokesman said: “We are unable to comment on individual employment matters, but the council has co-operated fully with the police investigation.”

“A review of the site was undertaken following the incident and the existing signage, markings and speed limit were deemed to be appropriate for this location.”