A speeding driver who killed a woman crossing the A13 has been jailed for five years.

Phillippa Nunn, 44, was crossing the A13 London Road in Hadleigh in a 30mph zone when she was struck by a Nissan Juke.

Members of the public went to her aid until emergency services arrived before she was taken to hospital where she died a short time later.

The driver, Jack Blohm, failed to stop at the scene following the incident at 6.10am on January 7, 2016.

He abandoned the vehicle a short distance away when the car broke down and fled on foot.

He contacted police just over three hours later and was arrested. A court heard he struck Mrs Nunn while driving at a speed of between 51mph and 58mph.

Had he been travelling at 30mph, the collision would have been avoided.

Blohm, 51, of Leigh Road, Leigh was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, which he denied, and stood trial at Chelmsford Crown Court this month.

A jury found him guilty.

He has been jailed for five years - and disqualified from driving for six-and-a-half years.

Investigating officer Det Con James Lee said after the hearing: “As police officers, we deal with too many sad cases in which people lose their lives on the roads and we know all too well the devastation this causes for the families they leave behind. The most tragic aspect of this particular case is that Phillippa Nunn’s death was entirely preventable.

“Travelling at the speeds which Blohm did and in the terrible weather conditions that morning, showed a complete disregard to safety of all other people using the road.

“Speed limits are carefully considered and put in place for a reason and had Blohm been travelling within the 30mph limit, Mrs Nunn would have been able to safely cross the road.”

A statement from Mrs Nunn’s family said: “We as a family are relieved to finally get some justice for Pip. She was a lively and larger than life personality who will be greatly missed, not only by her family, but by every person that has met her. Finally we have got some closure and while we will always remember, we can move on and live as Pip would want us to.”