A 55-year-old man has been banned from driving for four years following the death of a young woman from South Woodham Ferrers in a road crash.

Mohammad Haghir, of Denmark Close, Luton, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday after having previously admitting causing the death of 19-year-old Nicola Saxton by careless driving.

The collision happened on the A414 on August 17, 2009.

As well as the driving ban, Hagir was sentenced to 51 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, as well as 200 hours' unpaid work.

Sgt Dave Jones said: "On August 17 last year Nicola Saxton's young life was cut short by the careless actions of a lorry driver Mohammed Haghir.

"Hedid not set out to deliberately cause this crash, but his irresponsible actions that evening had tragic consequences.

"Speed limits should not be seen as an inconvenience and should be regarded as a maximum safe speed when the conditions are right - at times even travelling at the speed limit is wholly inappropriate especially when driving large vehicles.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Nicola Saxton at this very difficult time as we approach the anniversary of her death and this incident should serve to remind those driving on our roads of the potential outcome of driving carelessly."