Man jailed for dangerous driving death of north Belfast mum

A 40-year-old north Belfast man has been jailed for 11 years for causing the death by dangerous driving of a mother of two.

Lisa Gow died after being struck by a stolen car driven by Martin Alexander Nelson from the Ardoyne Road, as she walked along the Ballysillan Road in April last year.

The 32-year-old, who was mum to Olivia and Riley, died at the scene.

Nelson had pleaded guilty to six offences including causing Ms Gow’s death. Belfast Crown Court heard that he had 242 previous convictions - 55 of which related to road traffic offences.

He also admitted breaking into a house and stealing car keys and later stealing an Audi A4 from the same property. This was the vehicle which he was driving when he killed Ms Gow.

On the afternoon of the fatal collision, Nelson was being pursued by police who had deployed sirens, flashing lights and a 'stinger' in a bid to make him stop the car.

Belfast Recorder, Judge David McFarland, told Nelson that his actions last April had robbed a heartbroken family of a much-loved mother, daughter and sister.

As well as being jailed, he was also banned from driving for 15 years which the Judge said was "appropriate to protect the public."

Ms Gow’s family wept in court and her mother shouted at her killer as he was taken down to the cells.