A MAN who regularly drove under the influence of crack cocaine and heroin was jailed yesterday for the hit-and-run death of hospital secretary Beverley Smith.

Shaun Harvey sped off after crashing into the 20-year-old, leaving her dying in her mother's arms.

Harvey, whose 12-year-old son, Aaron, was in the passenger seat, had never passed a driving test and had previously been jailed for dangerous driving.

Last night, Miss Smith's family said they were serving a life sentence because of Harvey's actions.

Miss Smith, who worked at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, was hit as she walked with her mother, Norma Lawrence, to collect her grandmother's pension.

Harvey, 34, tried to cover up his role in the accident, on November 4, and was eventually arrested by armed police, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Ian West, prosecuting, said that Miss Smith had been crossing Cass House Road, in Hemlington, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, when she was hit by a Ford Focus driven by Harvey.

Tests showed that Harvey, who did not brake, was driving at not less than 51mph in a 30mph zone.

Following the crash, the car hit a kerb and careered over a grass verge, before speeding off and cutting up other traffic.

He then abandoned the car and ran off with his son.

When interviewed, he lied by telling police the women had ran out in front of a bus, and also claimed he had swerved to avoid them.

He had been driving for 15 years but had never passed a driving test or taken lessons, the court was told.

As well as being jailed for dangerous driving, Harvey had a string of related motoring convictions, including 12 offences of taking a car without consent.

Harvey, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop and report an accident.

Jailing Harvey for eight years and banning him from driving for 15 years, Judge Michael Taylor said he had been a menace on the roads and, despite being a regular drug user, was prepared to drive on a daily basis.