Driver on cocaine and laughing gas killed mum in hit-run

A TEENAGE driver high on cocaine killed a mum-of-three after smashing into her outside a pub.

- THOMAS MOLLOY

Jacob Gaskell, who also injured two other pedestrians when he mounted the pavement, had been inhaling laughing gas from a balloon at the wheel of his Land Rover Freelander before the hit-and-run crash.

The incident happened on the evening of April 8 - the day before Gaskell's 19th birthday and just two months after he was handed a suspended sentence for a previous dangerous driving offence. Cowardly Gaskell then fled the scene on foot as much-loved teacher Laura Hazeldine, 44, lay dying outside pub Number 15 on Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan.

Gaskell, of Marlbrough Avenue, Ince, has now been jailed for nine years at Bolton Crown Court. He will also be banned from driving for a further 10 years upon his eventual release from prison.

Rachel Woods, prosecuting, told the court that Gaskell was speeding and going through red lights.