A MAN who killed a pedestrian as he sped through a junction in his BMW has been jailed for three and a half years.

Preston Crown Court also heard how Feroz Suleman drove off and abandoned the car after an accident which killed Terence Brennan, 67.

Ten minutes later he rang police and told them his car had been stolen from outside a bank cash point.

Suleman, 21, of Shear Brow, Blackburn, only admitted his guilt on the day his trial was due to start. He pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mr Brennan by driving dangerously on October 29 last year. He was also banned from driving for five years and will have to take an extended driving test.

Heather Lloyd, prosecuting, told the court Mr Brennan was walking on Higher Eanam, Blackburn, carrying a shopping bag around 8.45pm. He was crossing the road when struck by the BMW coming down Higher Audley from the direction of the National Westminster Bank. Miss Lloyd said Suleman was travelling at 58mph in a 30mph zone. Witnesses described the engine revving, then screeching tyres and a sound like an explosion. When he was struck Mr Brennan he was travelling around 54mph.

She said: "Mr Brennan was struck by the off-side bumper. He was thrown onto the windscreen which smashed. He fell several metres further up the road. A witness described seeing a body like a Guy Fawkes' doll."

Miss Lloyd said Mr Brennan sustained multiple fractures and also had alcohol in his body. The court heard the BMW was found abandoned nearby badly damaged.

At the time of the accident Suleman's driving licence had been revoked and he had no insurance and no MOT.

Miss Lloyd said glass fragments were found in Suleman's clothing. She said it was not suggested Suleman went through a red traffic light. The lights had been on green for the defendant. Had he been travelling at 30 mph he would not have hit Mr Brennan.

John Jackson, defending, said Suleman, upon seeing the pedestrian, had acted properly but due to the speed, he was unable to stop. Suleman had panicked and had "dug a hole and dug it deeper and deeper and deeper."