Hit-and-run heroin addict jailed for six years

A HEROIN addict who was banned from driving when he hit and killed a jogger and left the scene has been jailed for six years.

Mark Heeley (38), smashed into the back of Conisbrough man Derek Lyon’s head with the wing mirror of a seven-ton tipper lorry while driving it dangerously down a picturesque country road.

Mr Lyon (52), of The Crescent was jogging along Ruddle Lane toward Edlington when he was hit by the Iveco Tipper truck back in March.

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Heeley, of Memoire Grove, Rossington, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified at Doncaster Crown Court. The court heard he had been banned from driving 14 times.

Michael Slater, prosecuting, said: “Mr Heeley did not stop at the time but half-an-hour later, when police recognised his vehicle and pulled him over, he said he knew he had hit something but had no idea it was a man.

“He appeared unsteady on his feet and told police he had a syringe in his sock because he was a heroin addict.

“A blood sample was taken but it never made it to the lab.”

Heeley, who also had no insurance and almost fell asleep while details of his crime were read, was before the courts for the 16th time. He was also disqualified from driving for a further seven years.

Witnesses said the vehicle was travelling well over the 40mph limit shortly before the collision.

Judge Jacqueline Davies said: “Your driving record is as bad as I have seen for a very long time.”

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