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| Woman guilty of killing boy, 11 | Woman guilty of killing boy, 11 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A woman has admitted causing the death of 11-year-old Sam Riddall, who was struck by a car as he walked home from a church youth group in Bristol. | A woman has admitted causing the death of 11-year-old Sam Riddall, who was struck by a car as he walked home from a church youth group in Bristol. |
| Hannah Saaf, 27, of St Michael's Hill in Kingsdown, Bristol, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at the city's crown court. | Hannah Saaf, 27, of St Michael's Hill in Kingsdown, Bristol, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at the city's crown court. |
| Sam was killed in May as he walked along a pavement in Westbury-on-Trym with three other children. | |
| His parents said the months since his death had been "incredibly painful". | His parents said the months since his death had been "incredibly painful". |
| 'Awful tragedy' | 'Awful tragedy' |
| In a written statement Rachel and Martin Riddall said: "The last three months have been an incredibly painful and difficult time, we miss our lovely Sam so much. | In a written statement Rachel and Martin Riddall said: "The last three months have been an incredibly painful and difficult time, we miss our lovely Sam so much. |
| "Sam asked the big questions of life and we had lots of opportunity to talk with him about heaven. | "Sam asked the big questions of life and we had lots of opportunity to talk with him about heaven. |
| "Knowing that he is there now and that we will see him again one day gives us great hope and we continue to cling to our faith in a loving God to help us make sense of this awful tragedy." | "Knowing that he is there now and that we will see him again one day gives us great hope and we continue to cling to our faith in a loving God to help us make sense of this awful tragedy." |
| Sam Riddall was killed while walking home from a youth club | Sam Riddall was killed while walking home from a youth club |
| At Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, mother-of-two Saaf spoke only to confirm her name and plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. | At Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, mother-of-two Saaf spoke only to confirm her name and plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. |
| Witnesses had said they saw the car mount the pavement and hit the group of children. | Witnesses had said they saw the car mount the pavement and hit the group of children. |
| Saaf fled the scene after the crash, sparking a police search for her. | Saaf fled the scene after the crash, sparking a police search for her. |
| Although she was the registered owner of the car it was not clear whether she was driving the white Ford Focus at the time. | Although she was the registered owner of the car it was not clear whether she was driving the white Ford Focus at the time. |
| Sleeping rough | Sleeping rough |
| Sam's parents Rachel and Martin Riddall appealed for Saaf to hand herself into the police. | Sam's parents Rachel and Martin Riddall appealed for Saaf to hand herself into the police. |
| She was found sleeping rough in a tractor shed at Pensford near Bristol on 10 May, nine days after the crash. | She was found sleeping rough in a tractor shed at Pensford near Bristol on 10 May, nine days after the crash. |
| Judge Tom Crowther QC adjourned sentencing to 27 November for psychiatric reports to be prepared. | Judge Tom Crowther QC adjourned sentencing to 27 November for psychiatric reports to be prepared. |
| Defending counsel Ian Kelcey said Saaf "was undergoing inpatient treatment at a mental health establishment" and Judge Crowther told the court a hospital disposal order could be considered. | Defending counsel Ian Kelcey said Saaf "was undergoing inpatient treatment at a mental health establishment" and Judge Crowther told the court a hospital disposal order could be considered. |
| No pleas were entered on charges of failing to stop at an accident, failing to report an accident, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance, but the Crown Prosecution Service said they would remain open and on file. | No pleas were entered on charges of failing to stop at an accident, failing to report an accident, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance, but the Crown Prosecution Service said they would remain open and on file. |
| Speaking outside court Det Ch Insp Gary Stephens said: "Certainly I am pleased we got one guilty plea but we've still got some loose ends to tie up." | Speaking outside court Det Ch Insp Gary Stephens said: "Certainly I am pleased we got one guilty plea but we've still got some loose ends to tie up." |