A Leicester e-scooter rider has been banned from driving for two years after he ran into a six-year-old boy on the pavement, fracturing his skull. The 17-year-old rider – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was also given an order "to deprive [him] of his right to an electric scooter".

The BBC reports that last August Jamie Smith was outside his Elston Fields home with his father when he was hit by a rider who failed to stop at the scene.

He was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham for a fracture to his skull and multiple cuts and bruises.

The rider involved was subsequently identified following an appeal by Smith’s family and friends.

E-scooters cannot currently be used in any public place unless part of an approved rental scheme, of which there are none in Leicestershire.

Riding one carries all the implications of driving a car and the rider pleaded guilty to six offences: causing a serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report a road traffic collision, using a motor vehicle without insurance, using a motor vehicle without an MOT certificate and driving a vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence.

He was also given a 12-month youth referral order.

PC Kieran Dempsey from Leicestershire Roads Policing Unit commented: “As this case has demonstrated, electric scooters are dangerous vehicles in the wrong hands and are currently illegal to use both on the road and in public areas in Leicestershire.

“Jamie was left with significant injuries which were initially believed to be life-threatening. Thankfully he has made a physical recovery, but it was an extremely difficult time for him and his family.

“In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, it is illegal to use an electric scooter on a public highway. The government is currently running trials of electric scooters (e-scooters). However this trial is not taking place in the Leicestershire force area.

“If you use an e-scooter illegally you could face a fine, get penalty points on your licence, and the e-scooter could be impounded. If your actions result in someone being injured, as in this case, you could face prosecution.”

Government guidelines for the use of e-scooters can be found here.

Last month a Nottingham man was banned from driving after he was caught riding a rented e-scooter while over the legal limit for alcohol.

Stopped by police, the man said he did not know he had been travelling on a motorised vehicle with all the implications of travelling in a car.