Eight-year-old Megan Belshaw was struck by a scooter as she walked on a public path near Lakeview Park on Saturday, September 6.

She was rushed to hospital where doctors held her overnight for treatment for a concussion and a gash to the head.

The father of the 16-year-old boy who hit Megan said it was a moment of madness.

"I don't condone what happened at all, my son should not have been carrying passengers and should not have been where he was.

"He is very sorry and we are all very concerned for the well-being of young Megan - that was my first thought when I heard what happened."

It has been claimed that the boy was drinking before the accident and has been seen out on the scooter after the incident.

His father continued: "He was riding a road worthy, fully taxed and insured scooter that I bought for him to use for work.

"My son was not drinking at all, he was scared and ran away from the scene - which was stupid.

"He has nothing to hide and fully co-operated with the police, who confiscated his scooter and he probably will not get it back.

"There is a massive problem with kids riding scooters, bikes and quads around central Craigavon and I fear my son will be punished for the problem.

"My son deserves punishment and I have made sure he knows the true extent to the trouble he has brought on himself.

"But he is doing an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering and I hope he will be punished and allowed to continue on with his life."

The police confirmed that a youth was released pending a report from the youth divisional officer.