Delivery driver jailed for fatally injuring woman

The family of Murdoch's victim said he had shown "no remorse" for what he had done

A delivery driver who continued on his rounds after knocking over a 77-year-old woman has been jailed.

James Murdoch, of Jacques Terrace in Chester-le-Street, called the emergency services but carried on with his deliveries after knocking over Victoria Blair in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, on 27 January 2023.

The 43-year-old was jailed for 16 months at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving in September.

His victim, who had been walking nearby with a frame, was taken to hospital in a critical condition and died a week later.

When traced, Murdoch told police that Ms Blair had fallen behind his vehicle before he reversed out of a car park.

However, CCTV footage and forensic inquiries found this had not been the case and Ms Blair had been walking nearby when she was struck as she was returning home from the shops.

Victoria Blair had been walking nearby when she was struck by Murdoch's vehicle

Murdoch was also given a 12-month driving ban and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Ms Blair's son and daughter said that Murdoch had not shown any remorse for what he had done.

"Mam, we love you always and will never forget you, and you live on in us every day," they added.

Sgt Andrew Ferguson of Northumbria Police, expressed his "deepest sympathies" to the victim's relatives and praised the "significant strength they have shown throughout the lengthy investigation and the proceedings which followed".