A SALISBURY man has been jailed after his 41-tonne lorry crushed and killed another driver.

David Hare, 55, of Ford was jailed for 18 months at Lewes Crown Court on Monday.

In March 2015, 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 Hare, overturned and crushed the Volvo, instantly killing Mr Copping, 51, a married father from Hildenborough in Kent.

Hare was subsequently arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, but denied the offence

The case first went to trial in September 2016 and was set for a retrial in June this year, after the jury could not agree upon a verdict.

In the most recent trial, Hare pleaded guilty to the lesser offence causing death by driving without due care and attention.

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