Six years for "show off" driver

Keith Caulfield's Peugeot 205 demolished a bus stop in Tyne Avenue, Leadgate, County Durham where 68-year-old Norman Hope was waiting to visit his local social club.

Caulfield had decided to go through a traffic calming chicane as quick as he could when his car went out of control

Mr Hope, a former Derwentside council worker from Pont Head Estate, also Leadgate, suffered internal, leg and pelvic injuries and died later in hospital.

Caullfield, of Garden Avenue, Langley Park, denied causing death by dangerous driving but was found guilty by a jury at Durham Crown court last month.

The 27-year-old engineer was brought before Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced yesterday and Judge Beatrice Bolton sentenced him to six years behind bars and banned him from driving for six years.

Judge Bolton said she was satisfied Caulfield had been "showing off" by trying to get through a traffic calming chicane "as fast as possible".

The court heard how Caulfield had stayed with Mr Hope after the accident and had held his hand until paramedics arrived.

Defence barrister Ian Graham told the court; "Apart from this terrible incident he is a hard working young man"

Mr Graham said the father-of-one feels genuine "remorse and regret" for what happened.

Judge Bolton told Caulfield: "This was delibverate excessive speed, taking on is it were, the challange of going throught that chicane as fast as possible.

"When going through your vehicle went out of control and crashed into the bus shelter where the unfortunate Norman Hope was standing.

"He stood no chance of survival.

"I have to reflect your criminality. I know in doing that the reflection of your criminality cannot possibly reflect the loss of that precious life to Mr Hope's family.

"Nothing will ever bring Norman Hope back. Nothing ever will give him the opportunity to sit in the pub having a pint and watching the football as he had done so many times before, that has gone."