Driver jailed over pursuit death

William Forrest suffered severe injuries and died at the scene of the crash

A banned driver who killed a man in a crash while being pursued by police has been jailed for 10 years.

Barry Taylor, 23, killed William Forrest when he crashed head-on into the 52-year-old's car on the A1(M) near Newton Aycliffe on 18 July.

He was driving at 110mph when the crash happened, Durham Crown Court heard.

Taylor, who was on licence from jail at the time of the crash, admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was caught after a chase by police.

The hearing heard how the stolen Mitsubishi L200 hit the motorway central reservation and was flung into the air, landing on the bonnet of Mr Forrest's Peugeot 305.

Jailing Taylor, Judge Brian Forster said: "You did everything you could to get away.

"Whatever action the police tried, you would not stop.

"All you had to do was press on the brake and this incident would have come to an end but you continued in your wish to get away from the police."

On licence

The hearing also heard how Taylor tried to ram his pursuers during the 11-mile long chase involving five marked police patrol cars.

He later said he felt guilty for what he had done, and wished it had been him instead of Mr Forrest, of Walbottle, who died, the court heard.

Robin Patton, defending said, "He is a 23-year-old man who has taken responsibility for the terrible thing he has done. His remorse is genuine."

The offence happened 28 days after Taylor was released on licence from jail for burglary.

Mr Forrest, a printer, who had two grown-up sons, suffered head injuries and died at the scene of the crash.

A family statement said: "The reality is that nothing can compensate us for the loss we have suffered.

"He was simply a lovely person, somebody who had time for everybody and no sentence imposed on Barry Taylor would be enough in our eyes."