AN EMLEY man is set to be jailed after he admitted killing a six-year-old boy in an alleged hit-and-run incident.

Peter Renshaw, of Grange Drive, was driving a Fiat Seicento when he struck Owen Wightman at Fishpond Lane, Wakefield, last year.

Owen had been playing with a friend near his home on June 18, when he was hit by the car.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

But he has denied allegations of failing to stop and report the incident.

The case was adjourned until Monday when a two-day Newton hearing will take place to resolve other alleged “aggravating features”.

This includes allegedly failing to stop at the scene and failing to report the accident.

The prosecution allege that “additional” damage was inflicted to the vehicle “post-collision”, which the court heard was “with a view to disguise what had taken place”.

The defence claim that although the prosecution have suggested Renshaw, who was 21 at the time, must have realised he collided with a pedestrian “it is something that he does not accept”.

The speed at which Renshaw was travelling on June 18 has also been disputed.

Richard Clewes defending said: “The prosecution’s case is that the defendant was travelling at 59mph, however an expert’s report suggests 53.7mph or higher.”

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC granted Renshaw bail but said: “Understand granting you bail is no indication to the ultimate sentence.

“You will be expecting a custodial sentence.”

Judge Marson also imposed an interim driving ban: “I’m going to adjourn your case ’til Monday 28. The offence which you have pleaded guilty to requires me to impose a driving disqualification.”

Renshaw, who is around 6ft 5in tall, was dressed in a dark suit with a large black earring.

He showed little emotion while stood in the dock.

The public gallery was packed full of family and friends of Owen – who would have turned seven on May 14 – including his parents Neil, 33, and Joanne, 31.

Renshaw waited an hour before leaving the court building after his case was adjourned and he was surrounded by his friends and family.

He was dressed in a dark hooded jacket and large sunglasses.

Owen’s death resulted in a large campaign to find the person responsible.

A Facebook page entitled Help find the hit-and-run driver who killed Owen Wightman had more than 5,500 likes and the page, RIP Owen Wightman has received more than 8,000.

At the time of the tragedy, Neil’s cousin Kelly Appleyard told the Examiner: “We’re a close family, we’ve done everything together.

“Owen will never get to do anything, no Christmases, never get married.

“Neil and Joanne idolised him.

“He was just so full of life.”