Driver who killed young girl given seven years

A SPEEDING motorist who knocked down and killed a schoolgirl when he lost control as he attempted an "impossible" overtaking manoeuvre, has been jailed for seven years.

Ryan Williams was driving along Britannia Road in Morley, Leeds, when he tried to overtake a lorry as the carriageway narrowed from two lanes to one and then, faced with a traffic island, drove on to the wrong side of the road.

There he lost control of his Vauxhall Vectra, mounted the pavement, hit a lamppost and struck 12-year-old Hannah Hudson who was on her way to school, throwing her 27 metres.

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One witness said he thought Williams might have been racing another driver, Gavin Phillis, who also tried to overtake the lorry and went on the wrong side of the road but, "miraculously" said Judge Paul Hoffman, avoided hitting anyone.

The judge said the prosecution had not pursued that suggestion but on any view he had shown "serious disregard for the rules of the road."

Phillis, 26, of Thornfield Avenue, Farsley, Leeds admitted dangerous driving and was jailed for 15 months and disqualified from driving for two years.

Williams, 22, of Ledbury Grove, Middleton, Leeds, was found guilty by a jury last month of causing the death of Hannah by dangerous driving on June 15 last year, having admitted a lesser offence of death by careless driving.

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Sentencing him at Leeds Crown Court yesterday and banning him for seven years, Judge Hoffman said no penalty could measure the value of a life.

Williams had driven significantly over the speed limit before attempting a manoeuvre which "was as impossible to achieve safely as it was thoroughly outrageous and dangerous."

He said Williams had deliberately and blatantly exposed other road users to risk during a busy rush hour when children were on their way to school.

Hannah was entitled to feel safe as she walked to Morley High School. Instead he had deprived her of a life full of promise and caused immeasurable grief to her family.

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He said Williams's situation was aggravated by the fact he had points for speeding. He had previously received a two-year sentence in 2006 for possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Phillis had six convictions for 14 offences, including dangerous driving after he was caught performing handbrake turns in a snow covered car park and several charges of driving while disqualified.

Williams told the jury he could not remember the accident.

Derek Duffy, for Williams, said he felt genuine remorse and had suffered post traumatic stress disorder since.

Andrew Stranex, for Phillis, told the court his family would suffer if he were sent to custody.

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Hannah, who lived on Britannia Road, was described as "the sweetest, kindest, loveliest child you could ever meet."

Detective Sergeant Marc Bowes commented: "Today's sentences will not bring Hannah back but I hope they will bring some closure to her family, who have been forced to suffer further because of Williams's refusal to accept his guilt. Thankfully the jury saw through his claims of temporary amnesia.

"What is particularly distressing is the fact Hannah's death could easily have been avoided, and it is vital that two important lessons are learnt from the events of that day.

"Young men driving cars at dangerous speeds that are too fast for the roads they travel on will inevitably lead to tragedy, and those responsible can expect to be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice for the anguish they cause."

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