A TAXI driver who mowed down and killed a promising British athlete, who was a protege of Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes, was in jail last night.

University student Edward Prickett, 21, had been supporting his team-mates during the British University Championships at Gateshead Stadium when he was hit by Lorraine Ferguson's taxi outside the ground.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that Ferguson, who was carrying four passengers, had been showing off by overtaking two rows of slow-moving traffic in the filter lane when she hit and killed the management studies student as he crossed Felling by-pass.

She admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Just before the collision Ferguson, 31, had driven at 100mph along the A19, showed her passengers pictures on her mobile phone, and acted aggressively towards another driver.

Robert Adams, prosecuting, told the court: "The passengers in her car gave various descriptions of her driving.

"One of them describes her speed exceeding 100mph on the A19 at various points.

"They also described an incident of aggressive driving involving a Volvo travelling on the A19 when she comes up very closely behind it and makes comments about Volvo drivers.

"It seems rather than prolonged dangerous driving, to be an act of showing off.

"The defendant was showing her mobile phone, showing a picture of her car to the passengers while driving at speed along the A19."

Mr Prickett, who represented Great Britain at under-19, under-20 and under-23 level in the 3,000m, 5,000m and 1,500m events, met Olympic champion Holmes while training in South Africa.

Holmes had encouraged him to continue to strive for his dream of competing in the Olympics.

After winning her second gold medal in Athens, which was after his death on May 2 last year, she said: "No one would have cheered me more loudly than Ed Prickett."

In 2001, Mr Prickett finished in the top 20 when he competed for Great Britain in the European cross-country championships in Croatia.

The day before his death, he had won the 5,000m at the university championships.

The court heard the second year student had intended to study on the day of his death, but could not resist cheering on his team-mates.

The court was told Mr Prickett crossed the road at the junction, and the traffic lights changed to green as he was halfway.

Ferguson's view of him was blocked by other cars.

Prosecution experts estimated she was travelling between 45 and 50mph at impact, but an expert on behalf of the defence said it was possible she was travelling below the 40mph limit.

Jamie Adams, for Ferguson, said she was utterly devastated by the result of her actions and her remorse and sorrow were sincere.

He said Ferguson denied showing off her phone, driving fast and insulting the Volvo driver.

He added: "She is not someone who was intending to harm or intending the consequences. It remains a tragedy for all concerned."

Judge David Hodson sentenced Ferguson, a single mother-of-one, of Sunnyblunts, Peterlee, County Durham, to three years in jail and banned her from driving for four years.

The judge told her: "You have caused the death of a very talented young man whose athletic promise was just begining to burst into the international scene.

"He was a very fine example of today's youth. His parents, family and friends were rightly proud of all he had achieved.

"It was confidently expected he would go on to even greater successes."

After the hearing Mr Prickett's father, Peter, 54, said his son had dreamed of competing in the Olympics and had been encouraged in his ambitions by Kelly Holmes.

Mr Prickett said: "Edward was so happy, always smiling."