Two men who were involved in a serious road traffic collision on Ferry Road on Saturday 19th August which left a 10-year-old boy seriously injured have today pled guilty.
Connor Whalen, aged 20, pled guilty to injuring the 10-year-old while riding a motorcycle whilst Marc Miller, aged 22, pled guilty to driving in a dangerous manner and to having an involvement in the incident.
Whalen and Miller left the scene in the wake of the collision, leaving others to tend to the 10-year-old.
The boy sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children for treatment. He has since returned home where he continues to recover from his injuries.
Officers from Edinburgh’s Criminal Investigations Department conducted extensive inquiries into the circumstances of this incident and later arrested Miller and Whalen.
Whalen and Miller pled guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, December 5. They will both be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Inspector Graham Grant of Corstorphine CID said: “Connor Whalen and Marc Miller’s actions resulted in a 10-year-old boy sustaining serious injuries which will take a significant period of time to overcome.
“This was a major investigation which has thankfully resulted in Whalen and Miller both submitting early pleas and sparing a child the trauma of a trial.
“I also want to pay tribute to the 10-year-old’s bravery throughout this process and wish him well as he continues his recovery.
“I hope this plea will bring a degree of closure to him and his family and allow them to move forward with their lives.”
Chief Inspector Stevie Sutherland, Local Area Commander for North West Edinburgh, said: “This incident had a profound impact on those within the North Edinburgh community who have been incredibly supportive not only to police, but to the young boy and his family.
“The criminality undertaken by Whalen and Miller and their associates is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Tackling the theft of motorcycles, and associated criminality, is a priority for us and we continue to address the matter through Operation Soteria and the Stronger North partnership.
“However if we are to fully tackle this issue we need the support of the local community. Anyone who is aware of motorcycle criminality in their area is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
