The parents of a teenager who died after being hit by a car say they are “gutted” after charges against the driver accused of killing him were dropped.

Harry Parker, 14, died after being hit by a car on Akers Way, Swindon, on November 25, 2022.

Ivy Mwangi, a carer from Redhouse, was charged with causing death by careless driving and causing death while driving without a licence, but those charges were dropped last week due to lack of evidence.

Harry’s mother Kelly Parker said: “The only strength that helped me was that we would get justice, but now all that has been thrown out the window, there is nothing.”

Ms Mwangi’s trial was expected in the New Year, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said forensic tests did not show enough evidence “to show the driver was negligent”.

“The only people serving a life sentence are us,” said Adam Parker, Harry’s father.

“He was the glue that held us all together, now he’s gone, we’re falling apart.”

Harry was attending school when he was mortally wounded outside Nova Hreod Academy, five days before his 15th birthday.

Mr and Mrs Parker said CPS had now “failed” them and “failed Harry”.

They were called to an unexpected meeting at Gablecross Police Station on November 13.

“A CPS lawyer sat there and said ‘there’s no easy way to say this, but the case is being thrown out, it’s not going to trial, it’s not going to trial,'” Ms Parker said.

“We just couldn’t accept it, we were led to believe all this time that we would get justice – with the click of a finger it was all thrown out.”

Tim Cole, chief assistant crown prosecutor at CPS Wessex, said their thoughts remained with Harry’s family and confirmed they had met with them to explain the decision.

“We review each case to ensure there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction,” he said.

“We have examined this case in detail – including obtaining the advice of a forensic collision expert – and it has become clear that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that this collision could have been reasonably avoided and therefore that the driver was negligent “.

Mr Parker said he did not understand how the evidence had changed.

“Nothing has changed, she still doesn’t have a license,” he said.

“Accidents happen, we understand, however, he was driving illegally and did not stop.”

Driving without a license is a summary offence, meaning charges must be brought within six months of the offence. Now that this time frame has passed, Ms Mwangi cannot be charged with driving without a licence.

The family are now speaking to their MP, Will Stone, and are planning a petition in a bid to change the law around causing death while driving without a licence.

“In cases like this, the law is wrong,” Mr Parker said.

Causing death by driving without a license carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

“We think it’s crazy, dying without a license is dangerous, otherwise why are we all getting licenses,” he added.

Sup. Guy Elkins, from Wiltshire Police, said: “We recognize the distress this decision will cause Harry’s family.

“Wiltshire Police will continue to work closely with the Parker family to ensure they are kept informed of any further developments in this case.”