Driver who killed Claire Laybourne jailed for 10 years

Ryan Scott, 28, of Chasedale Crescent in Blyth has today (Monday, February 23) been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

At about 10.40pm on Friday, December 5, police were alerted to a crash on the A19 in Holystone, North Tyneside.

 It was reported that a Volkswagen T-Roc and a Skoda Fabia were both travelling on the Northbound carriageway when they collided. 

The driver of the Skoda Fabia did not stop at the scene and fled the area on foot.

Emergency services attended the scene, where the driver of the Volkswagen T-Roc, 39-year-old Claire Laybourne was taken to hospital. 

However, Claire sadly died on Saturday, December 6.

Claire Laybourne (Image: Northumbria Police Copyright)

An investigation was immediately launched by officers, where Ryan Scott was identified as a suspect and quickly arrested.

A saliva DNA sample taken from the Skoda’s air bag matched perfectly with Scott’s – placing only him behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

Further data taken from the vehicle shows Scott travelling at 112mph just five seconds before the collision. 

With a potential collision up ahead and Scott failing to brake, the car’s anti-lock braking system took over, slowing the vehicle down to just under 90mph, but it was still almost 20mph over the road’s speed limit.

Scott was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death while uninsured and failing to stop following a collision.

 He pleaded guilty to all counts on Wednesday, January 21 and was remanded in custody ahead of today’s court appearance.

Today (February 23), Scott was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was also handed a driving ban for 13 years and eight months to begin on release from prison.

Ryan Scott (Image: Northumbria Police Copyright)

 Sergeant Dave Roberts, of the Force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “While we welcome the jail time Scott has been served, no sentence will ever make up for his reprehensible actions on that day.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with Claire’s family as they begin to navigate a life without their partner, mother, daughter, auntie and loyal friend.

“Claire was simply travelling home – she should not have ended up losing her life that evening.

“Scott’s decision to take to the wheel in an incredibly dangerous manner saw one woman lose her life and left her family’s lives shattered.”

 He added: “On attendance at the collision we found a very chaotic scene that presented more questions than answers.

“Thank you to all of the officers who worked tirelessly on this investigation, the undeniable evidence gathered that put Scott behind the wheel at the time of the collision left him with no choice but to plead guilty, saving Claire’s family from reliving this extremely traumatic incident at trial.

“I hope that today we’ve been able to provide Claire’s family with some much-needed answers and comfort, knowing a dangerous driver is off our roads for a very long time.

“I’d also like to thank the members of the public who remained at the scene and those who came forward following our appeals for information – your help was invaluable in securing today’s sentence.”

Claire’s family spoke of the kind, gentle and beautiful person she was and the lasting impact losing her will have.

Statements from Claire’s family were read out at today’s court hearing.

Claire’s partner of 14 years said: “Claire lives on in her children; I see her kindness, her gentleness, and her beautiful soul reflected in them both every day.

“While that brings comfort, it also deepens the pain, because she should be here to see it herself, to continue to nurture her little boy and guide her daughter throughout her life.

“Claire and I have been together for 14 years. We had a life mapped out together – not just big plans, but ordinary ones: raising our son, growing old together, sharing everyday moments.

“We also have big plans. We were planning to get married this September.”

He added: “There is not a minute that passes where I do not feel her absence in every room.

“Waking up every morning without her restarts the heartbreak. Returning to an empty house and the lonely nights where we would normally be discussing boring everyday things, break me all over again.

“Claire was deeply loved by everyone she met. She truly touched so many people.

“She mattered. Our life together mattered.”

Claire’s daughter, who had recently found a place to call home in New Zealand, said: “My mum loved and accepted everyone for who they were. She lit up every room she walked in too, if she was smiling so was everybody else in the room.

 “I really did think that with us having such a small age gap that we would have forever together. I was so privileged to have a mam, and a best friend in one.

 “The way my mum was taken from us has caused unimaginable pain. Her death was sudden, violent and unfair.

“We were robbed from the chance to say goodbye, and she was robbed from the chance to live the life she deserved.

“Knowing that the person responsible chose to leave her there has added a level of trauma and heartbreak that is hard to put into words.”

Claire’s mum,  who was a passenger in the car at the time of the crash, told the court in her statement the guilt she feels following the loss of Claire, she said: “Claire was my only daughter, and she was my best friend.

“I feel guilty because I survived when she had so much more living to do.

“Losing my daughter in such a senseless way is something I can’t come to terms with. I am sure everyone thinks that their daughter is wonderful, but my girl truly was.

“The loss of Claire is something I don’t think I’ll ever get over, but the loss to her partner, daughter and her little boy is truly horrendous.

“Claire was beautiful, funny, smart and loving. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known, and it was a privilege to be her mother.”