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Killer 'sleeping' driver jailed 'Sleeping' killer driver jailed
(about 1 hour later)
A woman who killed a mechanic as he helped a motorist has been jailed for two years.A woman who killed a mechanic as he helped a motorist has been jailed for two years.
Terry Booth, 58, of Ferndown, Dorset, died when his truck was struck by a car driven by Susan Lowe, 62, on the A31 at Poulner Hill, Hampshire, in June 2008.Terry Booth, 58, of Ferndown, Dorset, died when his truck was struck by a car driven by Susan Lowe, 62, on the A31 at Poulner Hill, Hampshire, in June 2008.
Lowe, of West Yorkshire, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard she was "unconscious at the wheel".Lowe, of West Yorkshire, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard she was "unconscious at the wheel".
Lowe was given a four-year driving ban, after which she can re-sit her test.Lowe was given a four-year driving ban, after which she can re-sit her test.
Sentencing her at Southampton Crown Court on Monday, Judge Christopher Leigh QC said: "I don't believe that when you set out you realised that you were as tired as you obviously were."Sentencing her at Southampton Crown Court on Monday, Judge Christopher Leigh QC said: "I don't believe that when you set out you realised that you were as tired as you obviously were."
Judge Leigh QC said he was sentencing her on the basis that she had fallen asleep at the wheel.Judge Leigh QC said he was sentencing her on the basis that she had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Lowe's trial had heard Mr Booth was working on a Peugeot 309 when the crash happened on 12 June, 2008, at about 2300 BST.Lowe's trial had heard Mr Booth was working on a Peugeot 309 when the crash happened on 12 June, 2008, at about 2300 BST.
Mechanic Terry Booth was killed instantlyMechanic Terry Booth was killed instantly
Lowe, who was driving home to Yorkshire from Bournemouth on the day of the accident, had been awake for more than 16 hours. Lowe, of Gypsy Mead in Leeds, who was driving home to Yorkshire from Bournemouth on the day of the accident, had been awake for more than 16 hours.
Her Chrysler car ploughed into the broken-down car.Her Chrysler car ploughed into the broken-down car.
The jury heard all evidence indicated Lowe did not apply her brakes and had fallen asleep.The jury heard all evidence indicated Lowe did not apply her brakes and had fallen asleep.
Her defence argued she was "blinded" by the lights from the recovery truck, but a jury reached a majority guilty verdict on 1 September.Her defence argued she was "blinded" by the lights from the recovery truck, but a jury reached a majority guilty verdict on 1 September.
Sgt Mal Rigby, from Hampshire police, said: "I am very pleased with that sentence.Sgt Mal Rigby, from Hampshire police, said: "I am very pleased with that sentence.
"It sends out the message if you are feeling tired or fatigued then you should not get behind the wheel and drive.""It sends out the message if you are feeling tired or fatigued then you should not get behind the wheel and drive."
He added that Mr Booth's relatives were also "satisfied with the sentence".He added that Mr Booth's relatives were also "satisfied with the sentence".