A DRIVER who killed a teenager after losing control of his car has been jailed and branded a liar for denying full responsibility.

Koaldeap Singh Lit crashed into 16-year-old Josh Callaghan as he walked along the pavement of London Road in Northfleet with his father at around 4pm on January 24 last year.

The 35-year-old from Strood was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court today (July 21).

He had denied causing death by dangerous driving but was found guilty after a trial.

Lit claimed he had swerved to avoid a dog before mounting the pavement and hitting Josh, but Judge Jeremy Gold QC accused him of lying and said he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Judge Gold dismissed construction worker Lit’s claims he had taken six breaks during his trip home to Strood from a job in Bath.

He said: “What you did was to carry on driving when you knew you were falling asleep, colliding with Josh and missing his father by inches.

“You realised what you had done and embarked on a course of deliberate lies. I can see very little remorse in the way you have conducted yourself.”

Josh, who lived in Canon Road, Bromley, was on his way to play pool at a pub with his father Tim when he was struck.

The pupil of Ravens Wood School in Bromley was rushed to Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel but died from severe head injuries the following morning.

News Shopper: Josh Callaghan

In a statement to the court during the trial, Josh’s father said: “I remember the roar of a car, like it was revving, and saw it out of the corner of my eye travelling towards Gravesend.

“A split-second later it headed straight towards me and I felt the wind of the car as it went past me.”

Witness Kelly Allen told the court how she saw Lit’s maroon Vauxhall Vectra bounce off the railings outside Rosherville Primary School and then into her car.

Giving evidence, Lit said: “I remember going through the railings outside the school but I didn’t see any pedestrians. It happened so fast.”

After the sentencing, PC Andy Gallon, from Kent police’s serious crash investigation team, said: “This has been a lengthy and complicated investigation and a traumatic time for Josh’s family and friends.

“His father Tim Callaghan has, along with the rest of the family, conducted themselves with dignity throughout a very difficult and highly emotional 18 months.

“He has also had to find the courage to deal with being a witness to the incident, which was, I know, particularly distressing for him.

“A custodial sentence has now been passed and I hope this will bring some element of relief to the family.”

After Josh’s death, his father said: “He was a gifted and popular boy who is going to be greatly missed by many people.

“He loved his music and could play the drums, guitar and his latest love, the bass guitar.

“He had a large circle of friends and was a loving son and brother – a bright star who had far to go.”