A HIT-and-run motorist who mowed down a pony and trap driver admitted killing him yesterday.

Wayne Walker, 33, was sent flying into the air after he was hit from behind by speeding David Graham on the A182 Washington Highway in Washington, near Sunderland.

The father-of-one was killed instantly and his horse had to be put down at the scene.

The Honda Accord driven by Graham, who had never passed a test, landed on its side through a fence in a nearby field after the smash on April 6.

Graham and his three passengers, two women and a man, fled the scene.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Graham had bought that car just a few days before the accident and was aware it had no MOT and was not roadworthy.

Robert Woodcock, prosecuting, told the court: "It happened so quickly the defendant made no attempt to brake. He drove through the trap as if it was a skittle.

"He pulled in front of a car in the nearside lane, the only explanation is that there was a vehicle in his way and he intended to undertake on the nearside lane only to be confronted by the trap."

Mr Walker lived with his long-term partner Deborah Jennings, 26, and their son Nathan, aged two, in Highwell Drive, Springwell Village, Washington.

After the accident police launched a manhunt for Graham, who handed himself in four days later.

Yesterday Graham, of no fixed address but originally from Sunderland, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Robin Patton, mitigating, said: "He has tried to block out the memory of what happened that day.

"He is overwhelmed with remorse. He felt so bad after the accident he thought about taking his own life.

"He will never again get behind the wheel of a car."

Yesterday Judge John Milford, sentenced David Graham to four years behind bars and he was banned from driving for seven years.

Mr Walker's family, including his parents, watched from the public gallery with his partner Deborah. They were too distraught to speak after the hearing.