Fiesta, which had been stolen from a community worker who works with young offenders, travelled at speeds of about 80mph in a 30mph zone after passing a police car on a roundabout.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Violet Youens hit-and-run death: Driver captured running from scene

It was driven through two red lights before McAteer, who did not have a driving licence, lost control on Prescot Road and hit a kerb, then crashed into Mrs French who had her granddaughter in her arms.

The car then hit a lamppost and the defendants, both from Prescot, got out and ran past Violet-Grace as she lay injured on the ground.

'Desperately injured'

CCTV footage played in court showed them running down a nearby street after the crash.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson QC,said: "You must have seen Mrs French and Violet lying desperately injured on the road.

"Yet neither of you stopped, neither of you did anything to summon help, neither of you gave them a moment's thought or gave them any assistance at all.

"Your thoughts were for yourself, your escape and of avoiding responsibility for what happened."

Image copyright Family handout Image caption Violet Grace's grandmother, Angela French, 55, was also hit by the car

Following the crash, McAteer's mother Alicia made a public appeal to her son to return home.

The next day he was arrested at Manchester Airport and questioned by detectives. Brennan, meanwhile, admitted obtaining McAteer's passport and giving it to him.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said McAteer told police after the crash he had decided to clear his head and "go