Businessman jailed after taking cocaine and killing couple in head-on crash on A59 near Skipton

Thomas Finnegan admitted taking cocaine and drinking at The Cross Keys pub in Barnoldswick before getting behind the wheel of his Mercedes Vito van and ploughing into the Nissan Juke driven by Mark Gregson, 52.

Mark, who worked at Arla creamery site in Settle, and his partner Claire Lucas, 43, the headteacher of a nursery, were both killed in the crash on the A59 near Skipton on January 24 last year.

The couple, from Kelbrook in Cumbria, each had children from previous relationships.

Yesterday former business owner Finnegan, of Oxfordshire, was jailed for eight years at Bradford Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to two counts of death by dangerous driving, one count of serious injury by dangerous driving and two counts of being over the limit for alcohol and drugs.

The court heard that he crossed over onto the wrong side of the road on a bend and struck the couple's Nissan.

Finnegan’s girlfriend, 29-year-old Lucile Hamon, was a passenger in his vehicle and sustained serious injuries in the collision.

Finnegan was unharmed and upon providing a roadside breath sample to officers on the scene, he was found to be over the drink-drive limit as well as providing a positive drug swipe for cocaine.

He was also banned from driving for nine years.

Sergeant Adam Elliott of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Investigation Team said: “We are pleased to see Finnegan handed this strong sentence which underlines the serious nature of his offences. Finnegan’s actions were responsible for the deaths of two individuals which have left their families, friends and colleagues devastated and four children mourning the loss of their parents, as well as causing his own partner to suffer serious injuries.

“The impact of one individual prioritising a few drinks over the safety of others should not be underestimated and the message is very clear. Never drink, or participate in drug use and drive.”