A MAN who killed a serving member of North Yorkshire Police while driving over the limit for both drink and drugs has been jailed.

Simeon Denny admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving over the prescribed limit for both alcohol and cannabis.

The 29-year-old, from Pontefract, was jailed for five years and nine months when he appeared at York Crown Court. He was also banned from the roads for six-and-a-half years.

At 7am on August 14 last year he drove his BMW 1-Series at high speed through a red light at the junction of Otley Road and Cold Bath Road in Harrogate.

He smashed into a Ford Fiesta, driven by 50-year-old Carol Jones, who was travelling to work at Harrogate Police Station, where she worked as a member of police staff.

Denny’s car struck Mrs Jones car side on, killing her instantly. The investigation found that Denny did not make any attempt to brake before the collision, and the Fiesta at 60mph.

Alcohol and drug tests showed Denny was nearly twice the legal limit for alcohol and over the legal limit for cannabis.

After the case TC Zoe Billings,.who led the investigation said “This was a truly shocking and horrendous collision, which resulted in an innocent woman losing her life.

"Carol Jones was simply driving to work that morning and passing through a green light, when Denny struck her vehicle with such force that she very sadly died behind the wheel.

“Denny’s dangerous and irresponsible driving and selfish actions have devastated a family and caused so much heartache.

"It’s hard to comprehend how someone could be so reckless and foolish to drive through a red light at double the speed limit whilst under the influence of drink and drugs."

Chief Constable Dave Jones said: “We all still feel the loss of our friend and colleague Carol, who was a valued member of our policing family. Carol embodied the values of the policing service.

"She carried out her job and served her community with commitment, integrity and enthusiasm and was a credit to the force.

“I’d like to thank the officers involved in the investigation for all their hard work and determination in ensuring that justice was served to Carol and her family.”