Drunk ex-soldier killed nurse, 50, after mounting pavement and ploughing into her at 50mph
A DRUNK ex-soldier killed a nurse after mounting a pavement and ploughing into her at 50mph, a court heard.
Mum-of-two Susan Jackson, 50, was hit by uninsured Craig Mossop’s Land Rover as she was on her way to the gym to meet her husband.
Bolton Crown Court heard that Susan had been crossing the road towards a David Lloyd gym in Bolton, Lancashire when she was hit and tragically died at the scene on August 23.
Mossop, 52, failed to stop and ran a red light before smashing into another person.
Susan was a specialist nurse at the University Hospital of South Manchester, and had arranged to meet her husband Graham Lockett for a swim at the leisure centre.
The court heard the 18-year-old Land Rover that Mossop was driving had faulty brakes – and hit Susan with such force she was flung 30 metres across the road and hit a wall.
Mossop also recorded a breath test of 51mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath at the police station three hours after the crash – above the legal limit of 35mcg.
Police collision experts calculate the Land Rover was doing at least 52.8mph as it hurtled towards Susan.
Mossop, of Hartington Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, drink driving and having no licence or insurance.
Susan’s husband Graham, who was waiting inside the club, only learned of the tragedy outside after he rang his wife’s mobile phone and it was answered by a police officer.
Mossop, appearing via video link from prison, sat with a mask on and head bowed as her husband told him how he had felt guilty about not being with his wife as she died.
In a moving impact statement, he stressed to Mossop: “I have reached the point that I am not going to feel guilty any longer.
“I have decided that you should be burdened with this guilt alone.”
Sue was a loving, funny, fiercely determined, compassionate and strong wife
After killing Susan, Mossop did not slow or stop and careered through a red light before smashing into another pedestrian John Devaney – who spent three days in intensive care with a broken spine and punctured lung.
Colin Buckle, prosecuting, said the vehicle, which Mossop shared with his partner Karen Marsh, had no MOT and he was not insured to drive it.
Mr Buckle told the court: "Mercifully the pathologist concludes Mrs Jackson wouldn't have known anything about the impact."
Mitigating, Mark Friend told the court that Mossop had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving two tours of duty in Northern Ireland.
He had left the Army after witnessing a friend being killed – but struggled with drink and drugs.
Mossop has 17 previous convictions for 37 offences including for drink driving, driving whilst banned and other motoring offences, the court heard.
'LOVING MUM'
Heartbroken husband Graham told the court that he had met Susan ten years ago, several years after Susan’s first husband took his own life.
He added that their marriage had been “the happiest years of my life”.
Paying tribute to Susan following her death earlier this year, he said: “Sue was a loving, funny, fiercely determined, compassionate and strong wife.
"She was a loving mum to her two daughters Emma and Sophie and a friend to so many.
"Sue was a nurse and had worked for the NHS for 30 years. She will be greatly missed by all her colleagues and patients.”
He added: “Sue was a nurse and had worked for the NHS for 30 years. She will be greatly missed by all her colleagues and patients.”
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