A drug driver who killed an elderly woman in Halstead has been jailed.

Callum Brankin had been driving his blue Mini Cooper along the A131 Mount Hill at around 11am on October 12 2019 when he crashed into the green Nissan Micra of 87 year-old Barbara Bragg.

Brankin had lost control of the car as he negotiated a slight left-bend. As he attempted to regain control, he went into the opposite lane hitting Barbara’s car.

She was taken to hospital but, sadly, died the following evening.

The officers who attended the scene found evidence of recent cannabis use in the driver’s footwell and the door pockets.

Tests showed that he was above the drug driving limit at the time of the collision.

It was also established that one of his front brakes and one of his rear brakes was worn and a recent MOT advising they should be replaced.

New, replacement brake parts were also found in his car indicating Brankin had known the car’s brakes were badly worn.

At Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday June 2 he admitted causing death by careless driving while over the drug driving limit.

At the same court on Friday (July 9) he was jailed for two years and one month and banned from driving for three years.

He’ll also have to take an extended re-test.

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During sentencing the judge stated the fact Brankin, 23, of Oxford Meadows, Sible Hedingham, had failed to maintain his brakes was an aggravating factor.

Sergeant Steve Holmes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Callum Brankin’s actions were wholly irresponsible.

“He got behind the wheel of a car he knew had defective brakes whilst also over the drug driving limit.

“He caused Barbara’s death and he will have to live with that on his conscience for the rest of his life.

“This case also highlights the tragic dangers of drug driving.

“Drugs affect your ability behind the wheel – they affect your judgement and your reaction speed.

“Drugs can stay in your system for days after you last had them and even if you don’t feel impaired, you still can be and you can still test positive for them.

“If you’re caught drug driving you could lose your licence which could mean you lose your job. If you lose your job, you might not be able to pay your bills, so you could lose your home.

“Even worse, as this case shows, the consequences can be fatal and you could kill yourself or someone else."