Leukaemia survivor, 21, who was mowed down by a drug driver who then tried to apologise over FACEBOOK claims 'he only did it to help his cause'

  • Sophie Shaw was hit by drink-driver Aron Swift in Cow Green, Halifax last July
  • The 21-year-old cancer survivor was then contacted by Swift who apologised
  • Ms Shaw suffered ligament damage, broken teeth and facial injuries

By ISOBEL FRODSHAM FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

A Leukaemia survivior who was mowed down by a drugged and drunken driver claims his Facebook apology to her was only to 'help his own cause'.

Sophie Shaw, 21, was left badly injured after being hit by Aron Swift while she was walking on a crossing in Cow Green, in Halifax, in July last year.

Swift, who had no driving licence or insurance when he was driving a Citroen Picasso, fled the scene and then tracked Ms Shaw down on Facebook and sent her a message apologising for his actions.

Sophie Shaw, 21, was left badly injured after being hit by Aron Swift while she was walking on a crossing in Cow Green, in Halifax, in July last year
She suffered ligament damage to her leg as well as broken teeth and facial injuries

Sophie Shaw, 21, was left badly injured after being hit by Aron Swift while she was walking on a crossing in Cow Green, in Halifax, in July last year

The incident, which left Ms Shaw with ligament damage to her leg, was caught on CCTV

The incident, which left Ms Shaw with ligament damage to her leg, was caught on CCTV

It said: 'Hi it's Aron Swift I am really sorry for what I have done.

'I never meant for it to happen, it was a stupid mistake which I will regret for the rest of my life.

'Hope you are okay I wish you the best.'

But Ms Shaw, who had leukaemia from 2007-2009, did not see it as a heartfelt apology and thinks Swift sent it to help his case in court.

She said: 'I don't think he's remorseful at all. He's got an idiotic point of view.

'He doesn't feel sorry for what he did he's just feeling sorry for himself and the thought of being in a cell.

'He sent the message because he's a coward and he'd been caught so he thought it would help his case.'

The hit-and-run left the cancer survivor with ligament damage to her leg as well as broken teeth and facial injuries.

She believes there were passengers riding with Swift at the time and fails to understand why none of them had a 'conscience' to stop.

She is also still suffering with painful headaches and had to spend her Christmas Day in the dentist's chair having veneers fitted.

Over a week later, he tracked her down on Facebook and sent her a grovelling apology

Over a week later, he tracked her down on Facebook and sent her a grovelling apology

But Ms Shaw, who also suffered broken teeth, said she didn't think Swift was 'remorseful at all'

But Ms Shaw, who also suffered broken teeth, said she didn't think Swift was 'remorseful at all'

Ms Shaw added: 'I like to brush everything off and I'm not melodramatic.

'I'm ok now, at first going on a crossing was bad. I was so wary of cars and wouldn't cross on my own.

'I don't remember anything. Just lying on the road feeling cold. My head took most of the impact and I'm still suffering with bad headaches and migraines.

'He had passengers in the car with him too - one of them should've had a conscience. Luckily I turned out alright.'

Swift, from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, was jailed for a year for dangerous driving, banned from driving for a total of 79 weeks and ordered to take an extended driving test.  

Dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of two years but Swift's sentence was reduced because he showed 'remorse and admission of guilt straight away'.


Most watched News videos