A BLACKBURN 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.

Today a police officer in the case said it reinforced the message that speed kills.

Sergeant Stuart Isherwood, of the Accrington Road Unit, also said Suleman got the sentence he deserved.

He said: "It was an appalling piece of driving, aggravated by the fact he tried to avoid the consequences of his actions by making up a story and sticking with it right up until the trial.

"Speed does kill. If he had been driving at 30mph then Mr Brennan would still be with us today."

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 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. Suleman contacted police to say he and his cousin had been attacked outside a cash point and the car stolen.

He later maintained his story, but said his cousin had not been with him.

At the time of the accident Suleman's driving licence had been revoked and he had no insurance and no MOT.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

Suleman had shown regret and remorse. Judge Robert Brown told Suleman the aggravating features of the case were that Suleman had not stopped after the accident and had then falsely claimed the BMW had been stolen.

He said: "You yourself have displayed genuine remorse, shocked and disturbed, not only for yourself wholly, also for the disgrace you brought on your family and the anguish you have caused Mr Brennan's family.

"This is an offence which is so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified."