Susan Shaw hit and run killer Damian Raeburn jailed for eight years

Damian Raeburn’s Vauxhall Corsa ran six red lights and had 17 near-misses with other cars before he hit Susan Shaw, 47, as she crossed High Street, Rishton.

The mother-of-two and charity fundraiser died at the scene at around 6.30pm, despite the best efforts of emergency services.

Raeburn had been chased by police for six minutes and 4.3 miles from Blackburn to Rishton and reached speeds of up to 79mph, before officers called the pursuit off moments before he hit Miss Shaw, the court heard.

Raeburn, of Stanley Street, Accrington, was arrested five days later.

Video grab issued by Lancashire Police of Damien Raeburn in his car (centre)

Speaking after the sentence, Miss Shaw's sister Debbie Hudson, said: “Susan’s death has left a huge void that can never be filled.

“It is made even more difficult knowing that it shouldn’t have happened and that the irresponsible actions of one person have changed our family forever.

“Over time we may learn to forgive but we will never forget.

“We welcome the sentence but know that the driver will eventually be released.

“As a family we have been given a life sentence, and a dearly loved daughter, sister and mother has been taken from us far too soon.

“We now need to concentrate on the happiness of Susan’s children, Leanne and Adam, and devote ourselves to caring for them.”

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker said Raeburn also crashed into a Ford Focus in Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, during the pursuit, injuring driver Martin Hall, who had to be cut free by firefighters.

Raeburn had pleaded guilty on February 1 of causing death by dangerous driving.

Judge Lunt said: “There is no question this is an extremely dangerous piece of driving which had fatal consequences.

“Your only thought was yourself and evading arrest.

“You were not man enough to hand yourself in and take responsibility for what you did.

“How any human being could drive off leaving another human being lying on a road at further risk of serious injuries, but that’s what you did.

“Susan was part of a loving family who have been devastated by her death.”

Raeburn also pleaded guilty to having no licence and no insurance and was disqualified from driving for 14 years.

CCTV footage was shown to the court of police attempting to stop Raeburn and followed the pursuit until the moments before Miss Shaw was hit.

Police spotted the car in Lower Audley Street, Blackburn, at around 5.50pm before the chase ensued in Shadsworth Road and then Whitebirk roundabout.

Raeburn then drove into Rishton at ‘grossly excessive speeds’.

The court heard witnesses said the collision made a ‘glass breaking thud’ and left the windscreen looking like ‘a spider’s web’.

Mr Parker said Miss Shaw suffered ‘multiple catastrophic injuries to her whole body’.

Raeburn abandoned his vehicle and left the engine running, and it was found crashed into a tree.

Defending, Mark Stuart, said Raeburn was ‘very, very remorseful’.

Raeburn accepted that he should have pulled over when the police approached but became ‘panicked, scared and frightened’ as the incident progressed, Mr Stuart said.

In a letter to the court, Raeburn said: “This is to say how unbelievably sorry and distraught I am after this horrific incident.

“I know there are no words that I can say that will change events on that fateful night. What I can say is it will haunt me forever.”

The court heard Raeburn has convictions for failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving without a licence and insurance.

Sgt John Jennings-Wharton said: “This is a tragic case which has left two vulnerable adults without their mum.”

“Her life was taken needlessly by Raeburn, who drove dangerously and without any regard for the law or other road users, when police tried to stop the vehicle he was driving.

“This was made all the more cowardly by the fact Raeburn then tried to evade police for five days.

“I hope his ultimate guilty plea and sentence brings some comfort to Susan’s family, who have remained dignified throughout the investigation.”