Woman jailed over papergirl death

Natasha was from Bucknall in Stoke-on-Trent

A woman has been sentenced to six months in prison after a hit and run accident which led to the death of a 14-year-old newspaper delivery girl.

Natasha Whalley was delivering papers in Stoke-on-Trent with her mother and sister when the collision happened in December 2004. She died in hospital.

Cheryl Hood, 30, admitted to failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

Ms Hood, whose address was previously given as the YMCA in Hanley, also admitted driving without insurance.

Forensic tests

The accident took place as Natasha Whalley delivered papers in Ash Bank Road in Warrington.

Forensic tests revealed the car involved was a Citroen. A police officer later spotted a Citroen left in a secluded car park in Stockwell Street, Leek.

The owner, Cheryl Hood, who lived in Leek at the time, was arrested and charged.

At Fenton Magistrates Court on Friday Ms Hood was also banned from driving for three years.

Sgt Paul Withington, who led the inquiry, said: "All the officers involved in the case worked long hours to bring this offender to court.

"Tracing the Citroen involved complex forensic work followed by diligence from the officer who spotted the car.

"Our primary concern throughout has been justice for the Whalley family and the protracted ordeal they have suffered following Natasha's death.

"We hope the sentence will help bring a sense of closure for them."