A man has admitted killing a 12-year-old boy who died following a hit-and-run outside his school in Loughton.

Harley Watson died at Whipps Cross University Hospital after a vehicle ploughed into children who were leaving Debden Park High School on December 2 last year.

Terence Glover, 52, previously of Newmans Lane, Loughton, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility when he appeared by videolink at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder, which prosecutor Christine Agnew said the crown accepted and will deal with when the defendant returns for sentencing.

He also pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder of 23-year-old Raquel Jimeno and six boys and three girls aged between 12 and 16, who cannot be named due to a court order.

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Flowers laid in tribute outside Debden Park High School

Glover, who is being held at a mental health facility, also admitted driving a Ford Ka dangerously in Willingale Road, Loughton.

Miss Agnew said the defendant had “suffered an abnormality of the mind” at the time of the incident.

“That decision has been explained at length to the parents of Harley Watson,” she said.

Harley’s mother, who attended court with her partner, sat in the public gallery and wept as Glover gave his pleas to the charges.

Miss Agnew said the parents of the other victims and a member of staff from the school were listening to the hearing from another courtroom.

In the short hearing which lasted around 15 minutes, Miss Agnew said two psychiatrists will give evidence to the court at sentencing on January 8.

Investigating officer Heather Apen, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Harley Watson had his dreams and aspirations cruelly taken from him due to the actions of Terence Glover.

“This crime has destroyed a family and impacted an entire community. Numerous other victims suffered physical and mental trauma as a result of Glover’s actions that day and, throughout this investigation, have shown continued bravery. They, too, have had to go through the events of that terrible afternoon over and over again.

“I want to pay tribute to the immense courage Harley’s parents have shown throughout this investigation and, even though nothing will bring their son back, I hope today’s result today will help them, and the other victims of this terrible crime, to try and rebuild their lives.”

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