Kelvedon London Road crash driver Liam O'Brien is jailed

Liam O’Brien, 33, had been at Coggeshall Beer Festival with girlfriend Hannah Humphrey, 37, on September 3 last year.

Having walked back to Humphrey’s home in Bobbin Close, Coggeshall, O’Brien, who has never had a driving licence, took her car and drove off shortly after 9.30pm.

The landscaper was then seen speeding at between 60mph and 67mph in residential London Road, Kelvedon, before he crashed into motorist Gary Lord, who was attempting to turn into his driveway.

Dangerous driver - Liam O'Brien has been jailed for three years (Image: Essex Police)

CCTV footage played to Chelmsford Crown Court showed the Range Rover roll several times before coming to a stop on its side following impact.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said O’Brien climbed out of his passenger door and walked off, before calling Humphrey.

“Miss Humphrey then called the police and claimed her vehicle had been stolen from outside her home address,” said Mr Gair.

About two minutes after O’Brien left the scene, an Audi being driven by Max Mayo, 30, crashed into the overturned Range Rover.

Crash - police officers remained in London Road, Kelvedon, the day after the crash (Image: Essex Police)

Mr Mayo, from Feering, tragically died at the scene due to his injuries, while Scott Bigden, who had got out of his car to help, and pedestrian Suzanne Padbury, were injured by flying debris.

A jury acquitted O’Brien of causing Mr Mayo’s death by dangerous driving and causing Mr Bigden and Ms Padbury’s injuries.

The court heard O’Brien got a lift back to Humphrey’s home before discarding his blood-stained clothes and mobile phone.

David Williams, mitigating for O’Brien, said he was not aware of the severity of the crash until he was informed by the police the next day, but he now appreciates the consequences of his actions.

Tragic - Max Mayo, from Feering, died after crashing into the Range Rover abandoned by Liam O'Brien (Image: Kelvedon Social FC)

Humphry told the police she lied “at the behest” of O’Brien and she now realises she made a “great mistake”.

O’Brien, of Navarre Gardens, Romford, admitted dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

He was jailed for three years and disqualified from obtaining a driving licence for six years.

Humphrey, of Bobbin Close, Coggeshall, admitted perverting the course of justice and was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence, with an unpaid work requirement of 180 hours.