THE hit-and-run killer of a six-year-old girl walked free from court yesterday after he admitted being a passenger in a council van taken from outside a pub.

Colin Meek, 41, was jailed for four years and given a lifetime driving ban in 2002 for causing the death by dangerous driving of Leonie Shaw, in Bishop Auckland.

Yesterday, Consett magistrates heard how on March 18, this year, Meek had been a passenger in a Durham County Council van, which overtook a police car and ran a red light.

Janet Coxon, prosecuting, said the Piaggio van, which was being driven by Michael Collier, had been taken from The Kicking Cuddy pub, in Coxhoe, near Durham City.

She said: “The Piaggio overtook a queue of standing traffic and went through the red light.

“The police officers followed the vehicle and illuminated their blue lights and got the van to stop.

“When he was arrested, Meek said ‘I know I have been stupid and I am sorry for my actions’.”

Meek, previously of Spennymoor, but now of Coronation Terrace, Coxhoe, admitted allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle which had been taken without consent.

He was also sentenced yesterday for the theft of three flat-screen televisions worth £470 from an Asda store.

He admitted his role in the thefts, which were carried out on February 24, with Gemma Collier.

Neither Michael or Gemma Collier appeared in court yesterday.

Meek was also jailed for four years in 2006 for motoring offences and for his involvement in a ram-raid incident.

The father-of-two, along with another man, took part in the raid on the Woolworths store, in Barnard Castle.

Meek, out on prison licence at the time, drove off followed by police cars and a police helicopter.

He drove at speeds of up to 100mph in 30mph and 40mph zones. He later admitted burglary.

Mike Clarke, mitigating, urged magistrates yesterday to consider a probation report which recommended he receive a six-month community supervision order.

However, magistrates doubled it to 12 months.

Chairman of the bench Dr David Shallow said: “We are considering your previous convictions and that is why we have increased the order.”

Meek was also ordered to pay £200 compensation for the television thefts and £90 in court costs.