Teen who killed boy, 17, in horror hit and run had never had a driving lesson

Teen who killed boy, 17, in horror hit and run had never had a driving lessonHarley Hough has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years detention in a young offenders' institution after killing Alex Woodward who was crossing the road on his way to a shop with two friendsNewsGeorgia Diebelius Content Editor13:42, 14 Apr 2026Updated 13:42, 14 Apr 2026View ImageHarley Hough has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years detention in a young offenders' institutionA teenager, who had never even had a single driving lesson, killed a 17-year-old boy in a hit and run.‌Harley Hough has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years detention in a young offenders' institution after killing Alex Woodward who was crossing the road on his way to a shop with two friends.‌17-year-old Hough has today been named after StokeonTrentLive successfully challenged reporting restrictions which prevented the defendant from being identified.‌Hough - who told police he had never had a driving lesson - was driving a BMW at 58mph when he overtook a Volkswagen Polo on Dawlish Drive, Bentilee, at about 6pm on October 17.He hit Alex, who came to rest 47 metres from the initial point of the collision. He suffered serious injuries and died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in the early hours of the next day. Hough did not stop.Instead, he drove to Park Hall Country Park where he set fire to the BMW. He handed himself in to police two days later.‌In his police interview he said he had overtaken his friend driving the Polo and claimed he was not driving dangerously at the time of the collision.He said: "As horrible as it sounds to say this, that lad has chanced it. He thought he might make it to the kerb before I could. He clearly thought he was harder than the car which he clearly f****** wasn't."He later added he would like to apologise to his victim's family and friends.Article continues belowHough, of Longton, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, failing t...