Woman jailed after seriously injuring girl in Maghull collision

We are welcoming the sentencing of a woman from Aughton to 16 months in prison for causing serious injury by dangerous driving to a seven-year-old girl in Maghull last year.

Deborah McGovern, 51 years, of Gaw Hill View, Aughton was sentenced today (Wednesday 10 November) at Liverpool Crown Court. She was also disqualified from driving for two years, eight months.

At around 10.40pm on Tuesday 27 October 2020, emergency services were called to the junction of Northway and Eastway to reports of a collision involving a Range Rover driven by McGovern and a Mercedes.

A passenger from the Mercedes, a seven-year-old girl, was taken to hospital with life-changing head injuries where she received extensive treatment.

Following extensive enquiries including CCTV and witness appeals, McGovern was interviewed and charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Matrix Roads Policing Inspector Ryan Lowry, who led the investigation, said: “McGovern’s decision to drive at speed and dangerously that night will affect a young girl and her family for the rest of their lives.

“The manner of her driving could have killed someone, and it is only thanks to the response of the emergency services, treatment from Alder Hey Hospital and ongoing treatment that the little girl is now on a long road to recovery.

“But her head injury has lifelong effects, and the psychological impact of such trauma to her and her family is impossible to measure.

“I also hope that the impact this has had on the victim, and on the life of McGovern, will serve as a powerful reminder to anyone who would consider driving dangerously, so that some good can come of such an awful situation.

“Speed limits exist for very good reason, and failure to adhere to them can lead to terrible, life-changing moments such as this.

“Driving at excess speed, impaired by drink, drugs or distracted whilst at the wheel has a huge effect on the reactions and ability of drivers, so don’t take any risks on the road.

“We will continue to proactively patrol the roads in Merseyside and conduct targeted speeding operations to keep our communities safe. We will prosecute any driver who puts the lives of others at risk because every serious and fatal collision impacts upon the lives of so many people.

“The Merseyside area sees an average of 56 serious injury collisions to children every year, we committed to reducing such incidents and putting before the courts those who drive dangerously.”