Hit-and-run driver who killed St Leonards cyclist has driving ban slashed

Luke Paul Headech, 26, collided with Jamie Murray on the A259 Grand Parade in the early hours of the morning on January 1.

The 23-year-old from St Leonards was thrown almost 50 metres along the road, sustaining devastating injuries.

Headech drove on, but was eventually identified and convicted of causing death by dangerous driving last May.

He was sentenced to six years and three months at Lewes Crown Court and banned from driving for five years from the date of his release.

But today, three senior judges said that was wrong and that the ban should start at the date Headech was sentenced.

Allowing the appeal, judge Sir John Saunders effectively cut the period of Headech’s ban by over three years.

“We reduce the length of disqualification to run from the date of sentence,” he told the court.

The judge said the problem arose because the crash happened before the law changed to allow drivers to be banned from the date of release.

Headech, of Ninefield Road, Bexhill, will have to complete an extended re-test before he can drive again.

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