A mum's "heart was ripped out" after her son was knocked off his motorbike and killed by a driver chasing him through the streets at 97mph.

Harley Lea died after Brandon Glover smashed his Toyota Corolla into the back of the 17-year-old's motorcycle while searching for thieves who had stolen his brother's bike. The 25-year-old was previously cleared of murder and manslaughter following a trial in March this year, but admitted causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He returned to Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced today. Glover showed no reaction as he was locked up for 10 years, of which he will serve two thirds before becoming eligible for release on licence.

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Barker said: "Harley Lea was only 17. He was out that night to have some fun with his friends and his brother - they did not steal your brother's motorbike.

"Harley is described by his mother as central to their busy family and a close support to her, his brothers and his grandmother - who he used to look after while she faced the challenge of treatment for cancer. His mother speaks of the pain and torture of day to day life, of her heart being ripped out by his loss.

"Whatever the sentence passed today will be, the court understands that it cannot and will not fill the void of the loss of her much loved son. You took up a senseless and misjudged pursuit.

"I am satisfied that you were in a heightened state, perhaps excited by the prospect of a pursuit with the adrenaline running high. It is clear that you were not exercising any sensible judgement.

"The collision had tragic and catastrophic effects. Harley was thrown from the bike and collided with railings - he was killed instantly.

"References speak a young man who is impressive to others - of his loyalty, his dedication and his hard work. I accept that you are genuinely remorseful for what you did."

Jurors previously heard that Mr Lea suffered fatal head injuries after being thrown from his bike during the crash, which occurred on Park Road in St Helens in the early hours of October 4 last year. The teen's passengers, Jordan Carter and Louis Coleman, were also seriously hurt in the collision.

Glover, of Pasture Close in Clock Face, reached speeds of up to 97mph in a 30mph zone as he pursued two motorbikes through residentials roads. Andrew O’Byrne KC, prosecuting, described how the incident had been sparked by the theft of Glover's younger brother's vehicle from outside his home on Rainford Street earlier the same night.

The sibling, Benjamin Glover, was said to have returned from work at around 7pm on October 3 2022 and parked and padlocked his bike behind his gate. Then, at around 11.45pm, his mum Vivian Glover was disturbed by noises outside and saw a "group of males pushing her son's motorbike away, having cut the chain".

Mr Glover rang 999 to report the theft, as well as calling his brother. Brandon Glover attended the address, and the two men went out to search for the culprits shortly before 12.15am.

They then spotted two motorcycles, a Honda and a Benelli. The former was being driven by Harley Lea, with Mr Carter and Mr Coleman as his pillion passengers.

Glover began to give chase through the Fingerpost housing estate before his path was cut off by a set of bollards. After driving out of the estate, he spotted the two vehicles again and followed them "at speed".

His car subsequently collided with the Benelli on Park Road, causing it to fall onto its side and slide onto the pavement. Its rider Alexander Owen and passenger Leeland Lea, Harley's brother, fled on foot after receiving only minor injuries.

Glover then collided with the rear of the Honda, leaving Harley Lea with a large fracture to the skull. Mr Carter sustained a double leg break, while Mr Coleman fractured his pelvis, spine, legs and right elbow.

The other driver meanwhile remained at the scene, near to the junction with Blackbrook Road and Boardmans Lane, and alerted the emergency services. Glover told the police that he had been driving at around 40mph, adding under interview that he had struck an unknown object in the road before the crash.

He also alleged that those on the bikes had been "taunting" him by waving a set of bolt cutters at him during the chase. Such an object was recovered from the location, but neither of the motorcycles had been the stolen bike.

Mr O'Byrne said that the crown's case was that Glover "used his car as a weapon", "deliberately driving his car at them with terrible consequences". But he said in his evidence that he "didn't expect one of the bikes to slow down", while he had "smashed his brakes" in a bid to avoid making contact.

He told the court from the witness box: "I have too much to lose over a motorbike. It was insured anyway, you can replace that.

"It's hard to put into words. It's hard to deal with.

"It doesn't play lightly on you, you have killed someone. A lot of the time I spent on remand was thinking about what I could've done differently."

Glover was also acquitted of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent against Mr Carter and Mr Coleman, as well as wounding without intent and attempted grievous bodily harm against Mr Owen and Leeland Lea. The jury's verdict came after two hours and 22 minutes of deliberations.

Clare Thomas, appearing for the prosecution on Wednesday, described how experts estimated that his car had been travelling between 69mph and 77mph at the time of the collision, with Mr Lea's bike being driven at roughly 34 to 39mph and the other motorcycle between 41 and 47mph. She added: "The defendant was driving well in excess of the speed limit, with the result that he was unable to stop or manoeuvre to avoid the collision."

Glover, wearing a black suit and sporting short light brown hair, sat with his head bowed in the dock as CCTV footage of the fatal crash was played to the court. Stanley Reiz KC, appearing on his behalf, said his client, who has no previous convictions, "deeply regretted his actions" and was "someone who wanted to stay out of trouble".

The defence counsel continued: "The devastating effect that the loss of Harley Lea has had on his family is obvious to all. It is also very apparent to Brandon Glover.

"This was an accident. It was an accident which was caused by Brandon Glover's reckless and criminal behaviour, but it was nevertheless not deliberate.."

A woman in the public gallery was heard to quietly mutter "was it f***" at this stage. Mr Reiz added that the "loving" dad to a six-year-old daughter now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks as a result, and has self-harmed while in custody.

He said: "He was reacting to what the other vehicles ahead of him were doing. They too were driving in excess of the speed limit.

"Mr Glover's vehicle was quite some distance behind them and he increased his speed to try and catch up. That was completely wrong, and the consequences are quite clear to everyone.

"He has accepted responsibility for making that misjudgement. He did not have time to stop when the bike slowed down at the lights.

"He is someone who would never dream of committing a criminal offence but has committed a serious one, leading to a significant sentence of imprisonment. In the heat of the moment, he got carried away.

"He went faster than he thought he was going and failed to recognise the obvious danger which was ahead. He had only six months earlier passed his driving test and was an inexperienced driver.

"He simply did not appreciate quite how fast he was going. Had he realised, it may have startled him into applying the brakes much sooner than he did.

"This was a momentary lapse on his part, which led to tragic consequences. This conduct was wholly out of character for him.

"He has not seen his daughter for a year - she is too young to understand, and he is too embarrassed to admit to her where he is. He will miss the most important years of her development because he is in custody."

Glover was banned from driving for a total of 152 months. He will also be required to pass an extended retest.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/teenager-killed-after-being-chased-27749349