THE grief-stricken mother of ten-year-old hit-and-run victim Sean Hamilton says she refuses to be angry at the “cowards” who fled the scene of the crash, leaving her son to die.

Sharon Hamilton, 37, said: “They showed no compassion. But they have to live with their guilt.

“I’m not going to waste my time thinking about them. Anger gets you nowhere. Sean was not angry.”

Sean, who lived with his family in Linnet Way, Foxwood, and was a pupil at Our Lady’s RC Primary School, in York, died after being struck by a van as he was crossing Holgate Road at 8pm on Saturday.

The occupants of the blue Ford Transit van stopped after the collision, but then abandoned the vehicle and ran off.

The tragedy sparked a city-wide manhunt, which ended when five local men, all aged between 16 and 22, were arrested in connection with Sean’s death. The five have since been released on police bail.

More than 1,100 people have now joined a tribute page set up on the social networking site, Facebook, where hundreds of messages have been posted remembering the football-mad youngster.

Among the tributes posted yesterday is one from Sarah Rankeillor, who wrote: “Heaven will be a brighter place to be with your cheeky face and your big smile. You will light it up. Good night and God bless.”

Meanwhile, Father Pat Smith, of The Church of Our Lady in Acomb, has issued another heartfelt plea to anybody who has any information about the incident to contact the police.

He said: “We are all in shock about what has happened and I offer my condolences to the family, friends and schoolchildren who knew little Sean.

“If anybody has any information, please make sure you come forward and tell the authorities.”

North Yorkshire Police also renewed its appeal for witnesses to the collision or anybody who saw the Ford Transit van prior to the crash.

Anybody with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247, quoting reference number 12090172354, or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Book of condolence for Sean Hamilton>>