Tuesday 17 May 2022 02:40 AM Drug-crazed teenager who killed maths teacher, 44, in hit and run is jailed for ... trends now

A drug-crazed teenager who killed a mother-of-three in a hit and run road smash whilst he was inhaling laughing gas at the wheel of a Land Rover was jailed for nine years today. 

Jacob Gaskell was breathing in the gas from the nitrous oxide canister when he mounted the pavement and struck 44-year-old Laura Hazeldine on April 8.

Gaskell, who had also been snorting cocaine and smoking cannabis, had been on a late-night drive with friends to celebrate his 19th birthday when he ploughed into the maths teacher.

The teenager came round moments after the incident occurred - but ran off whilst Mrs Hazeldine lay dying at the roadside with fatal crush injuries. She tragically passed away in hospital despite efforts to save her. 

Gaskell, of Ince, Wigan, Greater Manchester, was arrested at his brother's home six hours after the crash and detectives found he had previously been banned from driving for two years at the time of the tragedy and had never passed his driving test.

Last February, he was also made subject of a suspended sentence after leading police on a high speed car chase in a stolen delivery van and also had previous convictions for assaulting two police constables.

Inquiries revealed a balloon fully inflated with nitrous oxide was seen directly in front of the teenager's face in the seconds before the fatal collision.

At Bolton Crown Court, Gaskell wept as he admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without a license or insurance and failing to stop after an accident.

He was also banned from driving for ten years, which will start when he is freed.

Sentencing Judge Tom Gilbart told Gaskell: 'It shows a breath-taking arrogance and irresponsibility for you to get behind the wheel of a car in these circumstances.

'It was a flagrant and selfish disregard of the rules of the road and a disregard for the grave danger you posed to others.

'You were disqualified from driving, had consumed drugs in advance of driving, inhaled nitrous oxide as you were driving, and ignored the warnings and protests of your passengers over your driving. It seems you did not care a jot.

'It was an absolutely appalling set of offences and you changed numerous lives. The accident scene itself was a harrowing one and described as one of carnage and devastation.

'Mrs Hazeldine was a respected school teacher who dedicated her life and love to her three children. No sentence this court passes can ever compensate the tragic and totally unnecessary loss of this much loved woman.'

The tragedy occurred last month after Gaskell jumped behind the wheel of the silver Freelander, which was classed as 'off road', before picking up a male friend and then offering a lift to three girls they'd never before.