LIVE UPDATES: 13-year-old boy to be sentenced for killing Sheffield grandmother Marcia Grant

Reporter for The Star Sarah Marshall writes:

"Mr Grant was present when the car reversed over Marcia, who had already been knocked over, hitting her head on the road, the court heard.

"Eye witnesses said they saw Mr Grant banging on the window of the car, and eventually breaking it with a brick, at which point the defendant exited the vehicle and ran away, before being caught by police a short time later.

"Mrs Justice May noted that there is no evidence to suggest the defendant had ‘any intention’ to harm Marcia, or any ‘awareness of the risk of harm’ to her, and this is why a plea of causing death by dangerous driving was accepted by prosecutors."

Reporter for The Star Sarah Marshall writes:

"Mr McKone has told the court that Marcia came out of their house after shouting: “Someone’s taken the car.” Marcia’s husband, Delroy Grant, subsequently came out of the house, and did not initially see where she was, before realising she was on the ground behind the car.

"The court was told that Mr Grant subsequently realised the defendant was in the car holding the steering wheel, and ‘pleaded for him to stop the car’. Mr Grant recalled saying not to put the car, which was moving backwards & forwards, in gear, & shouting that Marcia was behind it."

Reporter for The Star Sarah Marshall writes:

"The case is under way now. The judge, Mrs Justice May, is not robed or wearing a wig, which is a normal concession made for defendants this young.

"Prosecutor, Mark McKone KC is on his feet now. He tells the court there is CCTV of the incident, but it won’t be played in court."

The case today and the death of Marcia Grant in April sparked national interest due to the age of the person responsible.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the age of criminal responsibility is 10. As previously mentioned, the boy was aged 12 at the time of Marcia's death in April 2023, and is now 13.

He has been detained since the incident took place, which, given the requirement to serve half of a custodial sentence in most cases, means he has already served the equivalent of a 14-month sentence.

Offenders under the age of 18 - and indeed anyone involved in a court case under this age - automatically have anonymity in media reports about the case, and this is only lifted if media outlets or barristers argue the case to the judge.

Reasons for this could be public interest or if the offender is very close to turning 18 years old anyway and have committed a serious offence.

It is highly unlikely any motion will be made or granted to allow the boy to be identified during or after today's hearing.

The 13-year-old boy will be sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving scheduled for 10am.

Reporter for The Star Sarah Marshall is at Sheffield Crown Court now and we will be bringing you live updates as they happen in the next few hours.

Speaking outside court following the boy's guilty plea on October 3, 2023, the Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Bowell, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "Since Marcia's death, my thoughts have been with her family and friends.

"They have lost a loved one under the most tragic of circumstances and will have to live with the heartbreaking consequences of the events of that evening for the rest of their lives.

"We continue to support her loved ones, and they wish for their privacy to continue to be respected."

Following news of Marcia's sudden death, her loved ones and members of the community have spoken of what a treasured and well-respected person she was, with some describing her as having a ‘heart of gold’.

In a heartfelt tribute released by her family released in the days after her death, her family described as a ‘warm, loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend and a pillar of her community’.

They continued: “Her loss has already sent shockwaves through all who knew her or was lucky enough to be included in her orbit. We ask for privacy at this time while further investigations are underway and the family try to come to terms with this enormous loss.”

Posting online, Laura Bakes said: “RIP Marcia, an amazing lady with a heart of gold. The world is a sadder place without you.”

Jackie Hector added: “I am absolutely devastated to read such tragic news I mentored Marcia through fostering she was a beautiful soul inside and out and her laughter was infectious! Thinking of her family, may god rest her soul beautiful lady.”

Toni Earnshaw said: “Sending condolences to Marcia’s family, I used to do her nails for a time some years ago in Firth Park, she was a lovely lady.”

Linda Channer continued: “This is devastating, I went to school with Marcia and she was the most kindest loveliest person you could meet. Condolences to all the family, stay strong, my thoughts are with you at this very sad time.”

Sarah Kidd said: “Marcia. I'm so sorry this has happened to you. You are such a beautiful lady with the biggest heart. Condolences to all the family.”

Waite Loulou said: “RIP Marcia you were such a wonderful kind women - we are truly shocked - may your soul go on.”

Leon Fryer added: “Devastating news, a wonderful lady and a joy to be in her company, our love and condolences to her family & everyone that knew her, Sundays won’t be the same.”

Jen Estevez said: “Marcia, I am truly devastated to hear this tragic news.A dear family friend. Always bubbly and brought joy to everyone she met. Rest in peace beautiful.”

Lauren Archer said: “Devasting news. Deepest condolences to Marcias family. An amazing women who had a heart of gold rest in peace Marcia.”

60-year-old Marcia Grant was hit by a car outside her home on Hemper Lane, Greenhill on the evening of Wednesday, April 5, 2023, with emergency services being called to the scene at around 7.10pm.

She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The defendant, who was aged 12 at the time of the incident, was charged with murder in the days following Marcia's death, a charge he pleaded not guilty to.

Prosecutors subsequently accepted his guilty plea to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving during a hearing held on October 3, 2023, by which time the defendant was 13-years-old. He cannot be named for legal reasons.

No details of the incident were given in the brief court hearing last month, where the youngster appeared by video link.

But, when he first appeared before court in April, prosecutor Gary Crothers told Sheffield Youth Court that police at the scene noted that the boy said "Is she dead?", "Looks like I got my first kill?", and "It was an accident, I swear."

Ben Campbell, defending, said the issue in relation to these comments was "what you can infer from them in all the circumstances".

Mr Crothers told the youth court: "At around 7pm on the evening in question this defendant is seen on CCTV attempting to take Mrs Grant's car.

"Mrs Grant tries to stop him by going behind the car.

"On CCTV, the vehicle is driven slightly erratically at this time and it does come to a stop.

"Mrs Grant positions herself behind the vehicle. The vehicle reverses, causing her to fall on her back and her head impacts with the ground.

"She was trapped under the vehicle, her husband tried to break the window of the car to get the defendant out of the car."

The prosecutor said the vehicle then reversed "at some speed causing the catastrophic injuries to Mrs Grant".

60-year-old Marcia Grant was hit by a car outside her home on Hemper Lane, Greenhill on the evening of Wednesday, April 5, 2023, with emergency services being called to the scene at around 7.10pm.

She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The defendant, who was aged 12 at the time of the incident, was charged with murder in the days following Marcia's death, a charge he pleaded not guilty to.

Prosecutors subsequently accepted his guilty plea to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving during a hearing held on October 3, 2023, by which time the defendant was 13-years-old. He cannot be named for legal reasons.

No details of the incident were given in the brief court hearing last month, where the youngster appeared by video link.

But, when he first appeared before court in April, prosecutor Gary Crothers told Sheffield Youth Court that police at the scene noted that the boy said "Is she dead?", "Looks like I got my first kill?", and "It was an accident, I swear."

Ben Campbell, defending, said the issue in relation to these comments was "what you can infer from them in all the circumstances".

Mr Crothers told the youth court: "At around 7pm on the evening in question this defendant is seen on CCTV attempting to take Mrs Grant's car.

"Mrs Grant tries to stop him by going behind the car.

"On CCTV, the vehicle is driven slightly erratically at this time and it does come to a stop.

"Mrs Grant positions herself behind the vehicle. The vehicle reverses, causing her to fall on her back and her head impacts with the ground.

"She was trapped under the vehicle, her husband tried to break the window of the car to get the defendant out of the car."

The prosecutor said the vehicle then reversed "at some speed causing the catastrophic injuries to Mrs Grant".