THE owner of a stolen van that was driven by a teenager who ran over a young boy in a hit-and run incident says he has had his life "pulled apart".

Delivery driver Philip Worswick's Ford Transit Connect van was taken by a 16-year-old boy on October 29.

A day later the teenager lost control of the vehicle as he was being chased by police and hit Leo Durrington.

After turning right at a mini roundabout to go on to Wigan Road in Leigh at the Tamar pub he mounted the pavement and hit Leo, who was aged three at the time.

Leo was ripped out of his mum's hands and sent flying 17 metres across the car park of the pub.

The driver sped away from the scene as the police car stopped to give first aid to Leo.

The teenage defendant admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving among other charges and was sentenced to a one year detention and training order at Wigan Youth Court on Wednesday.

A 15-year-old passenger was given a referral order after admitting to being carried in a stolen vehicle.

Philip, 32, said: "He has traumatised Leo and his family, and pulled apart the life I was trying to build for myself after he stole my van while I was doing courier work."

"I felt responsible for an act I didn't even do.

"That I was stupid enough to allow an awful person like that to get behind the wheel of my van and do that to a child. I was depressed for days.

"I even set up a fundraiser for Leo because I felt responsible. I couldn't get it out of my head for weeks.

"The disgust I felt after that verdict was nothing I have ever felt before, I felt let down by our laws.

"Twelve months in detention won't teach him anything."

Philip, from Abram, says he lost his job due to the £5,000 worth of goods that went missing from the back of the van after it was stolen.

He added: "This disgusting act has given me nothing but heartache, stress, and left me in a financial mess."

"That van was my only way of living, stealing that caused a domino effect of trouble.

"I lost my work contract for the £5,000 worth of goods in the back that was never recovered.

"I was pushed to beg and had unwanted arguments with family members to ask for money because I had no other choice.

"I had bills and no other means of paying them. I built up a tonne of debt to get back into work.

"For an act I did not do, I was trying to do my job and make a living. And this thief destroyed it all in less than a day."

Philip also revealed his van was recovered recently with at least £700 worth of damages.

Leo, now four, remains in hospital where his long-term prognosis is unknown but is believed to be making progress despite not being able to walk or eat at the moment.