Casey O'Callaghan, aged four, was killed outside his home in Ryelands Road when he was hit by a Renault Megane on July 17 last year.

The driver, Jason Diprose, 21, left the scene and was later convicted of driving without due care and attention.

He also admitted failing to stop and report an accident. He received 300 hours community punishment.

The inquest, at Preston Coroner's Court, heard that Casey died of severe head injuries which killed him instantly.

Statements from eyewitnesses told how the car was seen reversing down the one-way street when it hit and drove over Casey.

Sarah Jane Brown said: "I heard a car screech out of Artle Place and then heard a loud crunch and clunking noise. A lady came over to say Casey was lying in the road."

Another witness, Alvaro Gonzales, said he saw the Megane reverse "really quickly" and then move forward back over the stricken boy.

He said he saw the passenger, now known to be Adam Keates, leave the vehicle and walk over to Casey, appearing to shake him.

Diprose, who only had a provisional licence and was not insured, got out and looked around and Mr Gonzales said he "seemed more concerned for his own wellbeing".

Diprose, who the court heard had taught himself to drive on a beach, was seen to walk away from the scene before jumping into the garden of a property in Ryelands Road.

The inquest, which was wasn't attended by Casey's parents Jennifer and Gordon, then heard how the vehicle had been hired and Diprose's acquaintance Philip Entwistle later falsely "confessed" to have been driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.

In a later police statement Entwistle retracted the confession saying he had been threatened by Diprose, who told him he would only get a "slap on the wrist and I would get 15 years".

Diprose has since served an eight month custodial sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Preston and District Coroner James Adeley recorded a narrative verdict which read: "Casey O'Callaghan died after being struck by a reversing car whose driver had failed to make sufficient observations.

"The family are not present in court and they have my deepest condolences. The loss of Casey does bring home when driving around small children the most careful manoeuvres should be executed as these are some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

"In this situation there was a 20mph limit in place which has been shown in London to reduce child casualties to some extent but it is still the responsibility of all drivers to minimise any harm that occurs to children in our society."

He recorded this verdict despite there being no evidence Diprose was speeding. He also said that the headrests in the back of the vehicle could have obscured his view of Casey.