Man sentenced for causing woman's crash death

A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and banned from driving for causing the death of a mother-of-two in a crash.

Ryan Scott, 28, of Chasedale Crescent, Blyth, previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death while uninsured.

Claire Laybourne, 39, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, died following the collision on the A19 in Holystone, North Tyneside, on 5 December.

In victim impact statements heard at Newcastle Crown Court, her family described the loss as devastating, with her fiance and partner of 14 years saying: "There is not a minute that passes I don't feel her absence."

The crash happened on the northbound carriageway at about 22:40 GMT and Laybourne died in hospital the next day.

Her daughter Faye said she was the "kindest person" and her best friend, while mum Heather Appleby said it was a "privilege to be her mother".

Northumbria Police said data from the car showed Scott was travelling at 112mph (180km/h) five seconds before the crash.

His car's anti-lock braking system slowed the vehicle down to just under 90mph (145km/h) at the time of the collision, which was still almost 20mph (32km/h) faster than the road's speed limit.

Sentencing him, Judge Gittins told Scott that Laybourne's death was "unnecessary and wholly avoidable because of your arrogant decision to drive in that manner".

He said Scott "should have been nowhere near any driver's seat" as he was not insured to drive.

The judge added: "No sentence I can impose can accurately reflect the harm you've done and it'll be on your conscience for the remainder of your days."

Scott was also handed a driving ban for 13 years and eight months, to begin on release from prison.

Sgt Dave Roberts said: "Claire was simply travelling home – she should not have ended up losing her life that evening."

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