A man has been sentenced to six years in prison for killing two pedestrians after ploughing into them as they crossed the road.

Ashley Deadman, 28, of Bostocke Close, Laindon, was on trial at Basildon Crown Court for causing the deaths of couple Carli Scott, 30, and Dean Evans, 35, through dangerous driving.

Yesterday, the jury of six men and six women deliberated for just over an hour and returned a unanimous verdict on both counts.

Deadman, who appeared in the dock in a prison-issued tracksuit, has today been sentenced to six years in prison for each death, to run concurrently.

Sentencing Deadman, Judge David Pugh said: "On March 22, last year, Carli Scott and Dean Evans were in each other's company as they crossed Nethermayne using a pedestrian crossing.

"They were seen walking and laughing together side by side.

"Because the crossing was controlled by lights, they were entitled to feel that they were safe in crossing there.

"They had almost reached the safety of the kerb when you drove through a red light at at least 40mph.

"They had no chance of avoiding the collision.

"Mr Evans was thrown up into the air and landed in the road while Ms Scott was pinned to the bonnet of the car, carried forward and catapulted off when your vehicle stopped.

"The affect on both families has been shattering."

Judge Pugh told Deadman that he accepted that he was remorseful despite electing to stand trial rather than pleading guilty.

On arrest, Deadman was found to have traces of cannabis in his system but, despite admitting being a moderate cannabis user, denied smoking anything that day.

Judge Pugh added: "I am satisfied there was a degree of impairment as a result of drugs because you have given no explanation as to why you did not see the lights and the people at the crossing."