Danger driver serving 10 years for death of South Tyneside mam revealed as drug dealer

A danger driver serving ten years over the death of a 39-year-old mum was also a drug dealer, it has been revealed.

Claire Laybourne, of Hebburn, South Tyneside, died when the Volkswagen T-roc she was driving back from a festive theatre with her mum was smashed into by a Skoda Fabia with Ryan Scott at the wheel on December 5.

At Newcastle Crown Court in February Scott, 28, was locked up for a decade for causing the death of Claire and seriously injuring her mum in the smash.

Scott appeared back at the same court today after he admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply, dating back to October, and has been given a further time added on to his sentence.

The court was not aware at the time of his appearance in February that Scott was either on bail or under investigation for the drug dealing.

Judge Tim Gittins told him today: "You appeared before me on February 23 this year when you were sentenced for an offence of causing death by dangerous driving and related road traffic offences to ten years imprisonment."

The judge said he "wasn't made aware" of the drugs charge, which would have been an aggravating feature to consider.

Scott was today sentenced to two years behind bars for the drugs offence, which will run consecutively to the ten years he is already serving.

The drugs charge arises from a police stop in October 2025, when Scott, who had been a passenger in a car driven by Josh Dunn, was seen to throw items over a garden wall, which turned out to be a mobile phone and 29 bags of cocaine.

Dunn, 34, of Alexandra Road, Ashington, Northumberland, admitted two charges of possessing cocaine with intent to supply in relation to that police stop and another one in February, when he was caught with more of the drug, as driving while disqualified and has been jailed for a total of five years and seven months.

Penny Hall, defending Scott, said he was a user of cocaine himself at the time and would sell it to friends, over a short period of time but since being jailed he has used his time "wisely" and has become a mentor.

Lorraine Mustard, defending Dunn, said he has also worked hard in custody on remand.

The court heard in February how on the night of the crash tragedy a witness said the Skoda Scott was driving was travelling at "unbelievable speed" through the rain and darkness and the sound of the collision was like a "bomb going off".

Mum-of-two Claire, who suffered extensive skull and rib fractures, was airlifted to hospital after the crash and passed away after her life support had to be switched off.

Scott, who had been on his way back from Tesco, initially got out of the Skoda but then ran away on foot and "never looked back".

Investigations revealed the Skoda had been travelling at 114 mph with "100 per cent acceleration" but the automatic emergency braking system had reduced the speed to 88mph on impact.

Claire's mum suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and a bleed on the brain.

In heart-breaking impact statements, Claire's devastated family described her kind, caring and loving nature and smile that lit up every room.

Scott, then of Blyth, Northumberland, had admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury to Claire's mum by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while uninsured and failing to stop.