A man who left a boy in a coma following a hit-and-run in Shepherd's Bush has been jailed for a total of three years and nine months at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday (February 12).

James McDonagh, 36, of Devonshire Hill Lane, Tottenham pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and causing injury by dangerous driving at the same court on Monday January 11.

McDonagh was attempting to drive away from police on October 17, 2015, when the car he was driving collided with 13-year-old pedestrian Saboor Gul at Bulwer Street, Shepherd's Bush.

Police described James McDonagh, who mowed down 13-year-old Sabbor Gul, as a career criminal

Officers had been flagged down by members of the public in Caxton Road, Shepherds Bush at around 1.40pm that day, who claimed McDonagh was trying to sell them fake Apple laptops and tablets.

Officers approached McDonagh but he got into his car and drove off at high speed, turning into Bulwer Street before colliding with Saboor. The impact threw Saboor into a parked motorcycle leaving him with serious head injuries.

McDonagh did not stop, and his car was later found abandoned in India Way, White City.

Saboor Gul in hospital

Saboor was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital . He was transferred to another hospital where he continues to receive treatment and long-term rehabilitation for a severe head injury.

McDonagh handed himself in to police on October 20 and was subsequently charged.

Detective Sergeant Jeff Edwards of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based in Merton led the investigation.

Edwards said: "I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Saboor's father, whose dignified silence towards McDonagh has not gone unnoticed by those who have investigated this incident.

Saboor Gul before the hit and run

"I first met Ghafoor at the scene of the collision where I had to explain to him that his son had been taken by ambulance to hospital in a life threatening condition.

"Throughout our investigation he paid little attention to the man who has destroyed his son's promising future, but instead concentrated his efforts on supporting his son's battle to recover. All we can offer is our thoughts and best wishes.

"I would like to thank DC Andy White the investigating officer, Forensic Collision Investigator Sean Wakeman and Family Liaison Officer PC Alison Sellers for their dedication in bringing McDonagh to justice and for providing support to the family.

Saboor Gul in hospital after the hit-and-run which will probably leave him bed bound for the rest of his life

"As regards to McDonagh - a career criminal - we can only hope he truly comprehends the hurt and devastation he has caused to Saboor and his family. His actions that day were deplorable."

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The father of Saboor Gul, Ghafoor Gul, said: "Saboor was involved in a hit and run accident on October 17, 2015, while on his way to a tuition centre. Saboor was smart, intelligent and very hard working.

"He has only been in the UK for a couple of years and had already achieved what most people would envy. Saboor had a bright life ahead of him; everything was taken from in a matter of seconds by someone who had complete disregard to other people's lives.

"Saboor will most likely remain bedbound for the rest of his life. He will have no or very limited chance in life. He will remain dependent on others to eat, clean or do anything a normal person would do. He won't be able to go to a normal school or do anything a teenager would do. His innocence, childhood, adulthood and simply his life is taken from him.

"People die once in life, but from the day of his accident, we, his family, are dying every day and will probably do so until the end of his life.

"This has put a massive strain on my life, as I am on my own and Saboor's mother is still abroad. As per the doctor's and social worker's advice, I applied for her visit visa four times, but the Home Office refused all four applications.

"All of this has affected my day to day life, I can't concentrate on work and my life. I spend most of my day at Saboor's bedside.

Saboor Gul with his father Ghafoor. He later expressed frustration at the sentence handed down to the man who left his son with 'life-changing' injuries

"The prison sentence for killing someone by dangerous driving is up to 14 year in jail and the maximum sentence for injuring someone is five years no matter how serious and life changing the injury may be.

"We are very disappointed that this is the case but we hope that this changes very soon in order to protect families like us in the future."