Driver pleads guilty to manslaughter of boy, 12, outside school in Loughton

Harley Watson was killed last December

A man has admitted killing a 12-year-old boy in a hit-and-run outside a school in Loughton.

Harley Watson died after a car drove into children near Debden Park High School on Monday, 2 December 2019.

Appearing via video link at Snaresbrook Crown Court today, Terence Glover, 52, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and 10 counts of attempted murder.

He is currently being held in a mental health facility and will be sentenced on Friday, 8 January 2021.

Harley was killed as he was leaving school, when Glover drove at a group of people.

Five teenage boys, a teenage girl, and a woman aged in her 20s were all seriously injured.

Glover, of Newmans Lane, Loughton, was arrested later that day.

Investigating officer Heather Apen, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Harley Watson had his dreams and aspirations cruelly taken from him due to the actions of Terence Glover.

“This crime has destroyed a family and impacted an entire community. Numerous other victims suffered physical and mental trauma as a result of Glover’s actions that day and, throughout this investigation, have shown continued bravery. They, too, have had to go through the events of that terrible afternoon over and over again.

“I want to pay tribute to the immense courage Harley’s parents have shown throughout this investigation and, even though nothing will bring their son back, I hope today’s result today will help them, and the other victims of this terrible crime, to try and rebuild their lives.”

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