A LORRY driver whose vehicle crushed and killed a motorist has been jailed.

Steven Copping was driving his Volvo V60 east on the A27 near Polegate when it was struck by a 41-tonne HGV carrying scrap metal travelling in the opposite direction.

The lorry, driven by David Hare, overturned and crushed the Volvo, instantly killing Mr Copping, 51, a married father of Hildenborough in Kent.

The crash happened on March 5, 2015.

Hare, 55, of Ford in Salisbury, Wiltshire, was subsequently arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

He denied the offence and the case went to trial on two separate occasions – firstly in September 2016 and then for retrial in June this year.

On both occasions the jury could not agree upon a verdict and a hung jury was declared. However, at the retrial Hare pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of causing death by driving without due care and attention.

The case was adjourned for sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on Monday when Hare was jailed for 18 months and ordered to serve the remainder of his four-year disqualification upon his release.

Judge Anthony said: “No sentence a court can pass can compensate the family.”