Friends suffering ‘lifetime of punishment’ after being mowed down by joyrider fleeing police

Senior account director Estelle Boon, 32, was hit by a car in March this year by Jason Furtado, who was fleeing police in a stolen vehicle. Picture: Estelle Boon (Image: Estelle Boon)

Senior account director Estelle Boon and Jonathan Cleaver, both 32, were hit by a car in March this year driven by Jason Furtado, who was fleeing police in a stolen vehicle.

On March 25 the two friends were spending the night out with friends but, while they were queueing outside a pub in Islington, Furtado mounted the pavement, hitting them both and one other victim.

Miss Boon, who grew up in King's Lynn with Mr Cleaver, said: 'All I felt was a massive impact and a huge flash of light, my whole body felt it. I heard people screaming and someone said 'you got hit by a car', I thought I had walked onto the road. Jonny was dragged by the car for a long distance, it was very traumatic.'

Miss Boon and Mr Cleaver were rushed to hospital with major head and leg injuries. During a six-hour surgery, Miss Boon had a steel rod placed in her leg.

Estelle Boon and her friend Jonanthan Cleaver (pictured) are still receving treatment for their injuries. Picture: Estelle Boon (Image: Estelle Boon)

'It was horrible, I didn't know what was going to happen, whether I would still be alive after the surgery or not.' Miss Boon added.

Miss Boon, who now lives in Bow, London, with Mr Cleaver, is still receiving counselling for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and having physiotherapy.

Appearing at Blackfriars Crown Court on Friday, October 13, Furtado, 20, from Islington, was sentenced to four years in a young offenders' institution for causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for five years.

'I am happy the judge thought he deserved the highest length he can get. When you suffer that much you want them to be locked up forever,' Miss Boon said. 'I will feel that punishment forever, but there is no point in dwelling and I can get some closure from it.'

Senior account director Estelle Boon, 32, suffered a fractured skull and broken leg after being hit by a joyrider in london. Picture: Estelle Boon (Image: Estelle Boon)

Four other teenagers who were in the car - Aqeel Smith, 18, Malique Howe, 19, and two boys aged 15 and 17 - were convicted of aggravated vehicle taking.

Smith was given 18 months in a YOI and Howe was handed a 12-month sentence suspended for 12 months. The 17-year-old was given 18 months detention and a driving ban of 12 months and the 15-year-old was given a 12-month youth referral order and a three-month curfew.

Both Estelle Boon and Jonathan Cleaver (pictured) sustained major head and leg injuries after being hit by a joyrider. Picture: Estelle Boon (Image: Estelle Boon)