Killer driver locked up

A motoring menace with an appalling driving record was locked up for eight years this afternoon after killing his friend and an unborn baby in an horrific smash.

Uninsured Lloyd Deegan - who never passed a driving test - was drunk and speeding along Wolverhampton's Stafford Road at up to 70mph.

He lost control after warning terrified passengers who told him to slow down to: "Shut up or get out".

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told today how the 20-year-old was downing alcohol at the wheel and steering with just two fingers when his borrowed Citreon ZX ploughed into an oncoming Vauxhall Vectra, killing 20-year-old Park Village man Anthony John who was in the front seat.

Deegan's 17-year-old passenger Emma Bullock, who was eight weeks pregnant, lost her child in the crash at Oxley, while another two passengers suffered serious injuries.

Today the horrendous driving record of Deegan, who led police on a car chase when aged just 14, was laid bare. He was on licence from prison at the time of the crash on May 19 last year.

Judge Robin Onions said: "This is all too predictable. A young man who thought he was invincible, who could behave and drive as he wanted to."

The court heard the group had been to The Cider House pub in Bridgnorth before picking up Mr John. Deegan, of Deans Road in Deansfield, was later found to be one-and-a half-times over the drink-drive limit.

Mr Michael Anning, prosecuting, said: "They remember telling him to slow down. He was going on the wrong side of the road."

Deegan earlier admitted death by careless driving while over the limit and driving whilst disqualified. He was banned from driving for seven years.

By Crime Correspondent Mike Woods