Danger driver reached speeds of 114mph before killing a Hebburn mum in a horror crash
A danger driver who was travelling at 114mph before he killed a 39-year-old mum in a horror crash as she returned home from a Christmas theatre trip has been jailed for ten years.
Claire Laybourne, of Hebburn, died when the Volkswagen T-roc she was driving back from the Sunderland Empire with her mum was smashed into by a Skoda Fabia with Ryan Scott at the wheel on December 5.
Newcastle Crown Court heard a witness said the Skoda was travelling at "unbelievable speed" through the rain and darkness and the sound of the collision was like a "bomb going off".
Prosecutor Glenn Gatland said Scott, who had been on his way back from Tesco, initially got out of the Skoda but then ran away on foot and "never looked back".
Mr Gatland said Claire's car had just overtaken a broken down vehicle on the A19 in Holystone, North Tyneside, and a witness described her driving as "sensible" and "impeccable" and within the speed limit.
Mr Gatland added: "He heard a loud engine noise which he describes shocked him.
"He saw a vehicle pass him at unbelievable speed, those are his words, which he described as such magnitude it caused his long wheeled base van to rock from side to side then heard a bang like a bomb going off and realised the car had collided with the back of the T-roc, lifted off the ground and it cleared the full height of the T-roc.
"The T-roc was thrown forward and veered left into a grass verge. The Skoda went back onto the ground, collided with a barrier and it spun through 360 degrees a number of times."
Mr Gatland said investigations revealed the Skoda had been travelling at 114 mph with "100 per cent acceleration" but the automatic emergency braking system had reduced the speed to 88mph on impact.
Mr Gatland said the witness was unable to open the doors of the T-roc due to the damage caused by the crash but he and others tried to offer comfort to the injured women until the emergency services arrived.
Claire's mum suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and a bleed on the brain.
In heart-breaking impact statements, Claire's devastated family described her kind, caring and loving nature and smile that lit up every room.
Her fiancé Ben Dewar, who she had been due to marry, said: "Explaining to a seven-year-old in the family room of the RVI that his mum is going to die and watch him struggle to breathe and sob uncontrollably and say 'why my mam?' was the hardest moment of my life."
Claire's 22-year-old daughter, who lives in New Zealand, said her mum was like her best friend and she lost her in the most cruel way when she had just left home and needed her most.
Claire's mum said the theatre trip had been an early Christmas present and they had enjoyed a meal together beforehand.
She added she has been left with flashbacks and nightmares of the crash and said: "I feel guilty because I survived when she had so much more living to do."
Judge Gittins imposed a 13-year and eight month road ban on top of the ten year jail term and told Scott: "It was all so unnecessary, wholly avoidable, simply for your arrogant decision to drive, indeed drive in that manner.
"No words from me, no sentence I can impose will be able to accurately reflect the irreparable harm you have done.
"It will be on your conscience for the remainder of your days."
Judge Gittins said Claire stood "no chance" against the speed of Scott's driving and her absence has torn a huge hole in her family and friends lives.
The court heard the Skoda had no registered keeper and Scott was traced and arrested the following day.
He told police he had been at a friend's house and taken cocaine and believed he was travelling "a little over" the speed limit.
Penny Hall defending, said Scott had been shopping in the car and added: "He had been to Tesco which is at the Silverlink area.
"He was driving too fast, he obviously accepts that."
Miss Hall said Scott had not believed anyone was seriously hurt when he ran off and had written a letter to the court to express his genuine remorse.
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