Speeding driver jailed over teen cyclist's death

Ryan Elsender admitted causing death by dangerous driving

A driver who was travelling at more than double the speed limit and caused the death of a teenage cyclist has been jailed.

Jayden McGuinness, 16, suffered serious injuries on Walker Road in Newcastle on 27 September, and died in hospital two days later.

Ryan Elsender, who left the scene immediately afterwards, was later arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

The 29-year-old, from Lichfield Avenue, Newcastle, admitted the charge at an earlier hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, and has now been sentenced to eight years.

Elsender was also handed a 15-and-a-half-year driving ban.

The investigation by Northumbria Police found he was driving the VW Golf in a 30mph zone at a speed of more than 70mph immediately before the collision.

Analysis of his blood revealed that he was over the prescribed limit for cannabis and also had a quantity of cocaine in his system at the time of the collision.

Jayden McGuinness died in hospital two days after the collision

As part of a victim personal statement read to the court, Jayden's grandfather, Brian White, said: "Jayden was just lush ... he had a heart of gold.

"I have to pass the place where this happened every day and it is a constant reminder of the way we lost Jayden in our lives.

"The total disregard for Jayden's life is unforgivable and should never have happened."

Sgt John Sanderson, of Northumbria Police, said: "Any death on our roads is a tragedy but it is even more poignant when it involves somebody who was so young and had their whole life ahead of them.

"My message is, as a driver of any vehicle, if you use drugs, drive dangerously and your actions result in someone's death, then expect to be prosecuted and go to prison."

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