Boy, 12, knocked off his bike by car is threatened with legal action... for smashing the driver's windscreen

Sam Scott was left covered in cuts and bruises after his cycling accident.

The 12-year-old had ridden into the path of a car, smashing its windscreen before he was sent flying on to the kerb.

While recovering at home an official looking letter arrived in the family post, addressed to him. It was from the car driver's insurance company, telling him he had to pay £150.

The youngster, who does not even have a bank account, was also later warned he could be taken to court if he does not send them a cheque.

Yesterday his mother Tracey said: 'I'm really furious. I have never heard anything like it before. It's terrible that people are asking children for money.'

Sam flew through the front window of an oncoming car when he rode into it's path in North Shields, Tyneside.

Shaken and bruised, he was taken to hospital but was not seriously injured. His bike was a write-off, however.

Sam Scott's accident left him covered in cuts and bruises - and with a threat of court action



'He is very lucky to be alive, it was the full impact,' Mrs Scott said. 'He actually smashed her windscreen.

'I'm so surprised he's not been seriously injured.

'He was badly bruised and his back is still bad.'

The letter from insurer Direct Line arrived a month after the accident and demanded a cheque to cover the cost of the driver's insurance excess.

When his parents ignored the letter, Sam received a reminder, warning him that he would be taken to court if he did not pay up.

Mrs Scott said: 'I can't believe they would consider suing a 12-year-old. At the end of the day it was an accident and he is a child.

'They wrote to Sam himself, the letters were addressed to Mr S Scott not me. I just rang them and said; "Is this a joke?". They were asking him for a cheque, but he doesn't even have a cheque book.'

Mrs Scott added: 'He is just a lad and was just doing what lads do. When I was told he had been hit by a car, it is just your worst nightmare coming true. But you never imagine something like this will happen.

'He's been through this accident. At that age, that's enough.'

A spokesman for Direct Line said the company did not realise that it was trying to communicate with a child and apologised for the error.

Direct Line's usual practice in such cases was to write to the child's parent or guardian, said a spokesman.

'We are more than happy to discuss a suitable resolution with Mrs Scott and we will be in touch with her directly,' the spokesman added.