THE man who ran over tragic Newport seven-year-old Keiron Evans (pictured) was found guilty of careless driving yesterday - on what would have been the youngster's birthday.

Keiron died five days after being knocked down in Hendre Farm Drive, Ringland, by a Ford Sierra car driven by Anthony Richard Jones.

Jones, aged 38 and a father of three, formerly of Ringland, denied the offence, but was found guilty by Cwmbran magistrates.

Keiron's dad Thomas Evans, who was due at the birthday party of Keiron's twin, Jessica, said afterwards he was relieved it was over.

"The strain on the family as a whole has been unbelievable."

The court heard that at about 6.45pm, on June 12, last year Jones was driving home along Hendre Farm Drive.

Minutes earlier a lorry and a car had been in collision in the street, which has a 30mph speed limit, and were parked on either side of the road.

Giving evidence, Jones said he was driving at between 25mph and 30 mph and pulled into the middle of the road to pass the lorry.

"As I overtook the lorry, Keiron ran out from the left hand side, seemed to look over his shoulder, saw the car and ran.

"I hit the brakes as soon as I saw him, the car locked up and I skidded into him.

"I saw him go down and felt the passenger side front wheel lift. In my opinion I drove over him."

Asked by prosecutor Eifion Williams if he thought he should have slowed down when he saw the lorry, Jones replied:

"There was no on-coming traffic so, to me, there was no need to slow down."

Mr Williams reminded Jones he told police the speed he was travelling at under the circumstances was excessive.

Jones said: "At the time I felt guilty, I felt responsible and that it was my fault.

"I was saying what they wanted to hear."

He added: "I would drive exactly the same way down that street now as I did then.

"It's a very sad and unavoidable accident. There is nothing I could have done. I just wish I'd gone a different way home."

Chairman of magistrates Stephen Phillips said that given the conditions on the day Jones should have slowed down further.

He ordered Jones to pay a £1,000 fine and £200 costs. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

The court heard that Jones had already been found guilty of driving without a licence and an MOT in connection with the offence. He had been fined £25 for each of those offences.