A SCUNTHORPE man has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for causing a Christmas Day crash which killed a woman.

Lithuanian Andrius Pusruris, 27, of Berkeley Street, admitted causing the death of Yolanta Kutrybala by dangerous driving, plus separate charges of driving while uninsured and failing to stop at and report an accident.

Grimsby Crown Court heard Mrs Kutrybala was in Scunthorpe visiting her nephew at the time of the crash, one day after her 55th birthday.

The crash happened at about 6pm on Christmas Day last year, at the mini roundabout where Wells Street meets Glebe Road and Normanby Road.

Pusruris had mounted the traffic islands on Normanby Road at speed in a BMW, "smashing" into a Citroen car which Mrs Kutrybala's nephew was driving.

Police found Pusruris 15 days later, "hiding in a wardrobe" at his home.

The court heard Mrs Kutrybala's nephew had driven her and his wife in his Citroen car to Mass at Holy Souls Church in Frodingham Road.

They left to return home with Mrs Kutrybala in the back of the car.

Mark McKone, prosecuting, said "she was very probably not wearing a seatbelt".

He said: "While rounding the roundabout there was a big bang.

"It seems that the collision caused the deceased to be projected through a broken window. She landed on the road and suffered multiple injuries, including head injuries."

Mrs Kutrybala died in Scunthorpe General Hospital shortly after 7pm.

Witnesses estimated his speed to be "between 30 and 50mph" in a 30mph zone. Witness Howard Broughton was looking out of his flat in Crosby Road and told police Pusruris went straight on and over the central reserve.

Mr McKone said: "There were three or four people in the car including Pusruris and one woman. People from the BMW talked to each other before running away."

Police visited Pusruris's home that evening. He was not there but car keys and a BMW fob were found.

On January 9 they returned and found him.

It was discovered Pusruris – who has a Lithuanian driving licence and had "very little" experience driving in England – had bought the BMW for £200 six days before the crash. An examiner said it was "dangerous and unroadworthy".

Because he mounted the traffic island, Pusruris skidded into the wrong side of the roundabout, colliding with the Citroen. In a police interview Pusruris said he had noticed a cat in the road and swerved to avoid it.

Gordon Stables, mitigating, said music teacher Pusruris had been going too fast for the conditions, which were icy and wet. But he said he was "deeply affected" by his actions and is "truly sorry" for what he did and was too ashamed to tell his parents.

Mr Stables said: "He is an educated and intelligent man who wants to put his life in order."

Pusruris has previous convictions for criminal damage and theft for which he was given a community order.

Judge Kate Buckingham told him: "You have said you wished you could turn the clock back but sadly and tragically you can't undo your actions."

He was sentenced to two years and six months for causing death by dangerous driving and four months for driving while uninsured.

His community order was revoked and a month in jail added, with all to run concurrently. He has been disqualified from driving for four years.