Overview
- Reece Roberts, 27, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday to 10 years and eight months in prison, with a five-year extended licence and a 20-year, one-month driving ban.
- Prosecutors said he was doing no less than 77mph in a 30mph zone when he struck 59-year-old Diane Jones on the A690 Durham Road on February 14 and dragged her about 58 metres without braking.
- Witnesses, including a taxi driver and a dog walker, reported his erratic high-speed driving moments before the collision, and CCTV and dashcam footage supported the speed analysis used in court.
- Roberts fled and hid the Volvo XC90, then handed himself in the next day after seeing a police appeal, having already been disqualified and uninsured with prior convictions including causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
- Police later released footage from the case and thanked the public for help with the investigation, while tributes for Ms Jones continued and a fundraiser was set up to support her family.