Killer of boy, 12, ordered to face victim's family at sentencing

A driver who killed a 12-year-old boy as he walked home from school and then fled the country has been ordered to face his victim's family in court, an MP has said.

Dolars Aleksanders fled to Latvia after fatally striking Keaton Slater in Coventry and evaded police for two years before being extradited to the UK.

Aleksanders, who has admitted causing death by dangerous driving, is due to be sentenced on 13 November.

While it had been thought he could not be compelled to attend the hearing, Coventry MP Taiwo Owatemi said the judge had now ordered him to appear in person following representations to the justice minister on the family's behalf.

Keaton's mother, Louise, said she wanted Aleksanders to hear directly about the impact his death had on the family, telling BBC Breakfast: "For him not to listen to that, it infuriates me."

The government is set to introduce tougher punishments for offenders who refuse to attend their sentencing.

Latvian Aleksanders was extradited to the UK in August, following a campaign by Keaton's family and the MP.

Louise said: "He was our ray of sunshine. The house was always so loud. He had this contagious laugh and he'd make you laugh with him.

"And now it's so quiet in the house. It's too quiet for me. I have to put the radio on for background noise. I still feel like he's going to walk through the door."

Aleksanders struck the Coventry schoolboy with his black BMW 330 on Radford Road on 14 June 2024.

"It's been two years, but for me it feels like yesterday still," said Louise.

"It's heartbreaking."

Aleksanders was driving 70mph on a 30mph speed limit road when he killed Keaton.

Keaton's father, Clint, said the wait for justice had been difficult.

"It's been a living hell," he said.

"Because we didn't get justice straight away, it's surreal, isn't it? It felt like nothing was happening. But behind the scenes, it's amazing that they've actually managed to do it.

"I take my hat off to the police. It's brilliant."

The government has recently changed the law to allow offenders to be compelled to attend sentencing hearings, although the measures are not expected to come into force until next year.

The Coventry North West MP said the judge had now ordered the defendant to attend court, and arrangements were being made to facilitate his appearance.

"While the operational arrangements for producing the defendant at court rest with the holding prison and prisoner escort and custody services, I welcome the steps that have been taken to give effect to the judge's order," she said.

Louise said she wanted to read her victim impact statement directly to Aleksanders "because that, to me, will finalise it off".

Former justice secretary Robert Buckland said it was important for families to see offenders held accountable in person when they were sentenced.

It was important for victims and survivors to see defendants "face up to the consequences of their appalling behaviour," he said.

"I think this case, whether you're a parent or not, would have an impact on you. It's good the law is changing, but it's unfortunate it hasn't kept pace with this case," he added.

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