A man has been jailed for 16 months for causing the death of a woman with "everything to live for" in a road accident, police said.

Martin Appiah-Dankwah, 59, of Thornhill Road, Islington, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving while driving with no insurance.

He received 16 months' imprisonment, and was disqualified from driving for three years and told he must take an extended re-test and also had his vehicle forfeited, Scotland Yard said.

Harrow Crown Court heard that on January 31 Nicole Levy, 29, of Shrewsbury Road, Bounds Green, north London, was with her boyfriend James Hawkins in Muswell Hill.

The pair were crossing Priory Road, heading towards Muswell Hill, before waiting in the white hatched area in the middle of the road to cross the second carriageway.

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As they waited they were hit by a Renault Espace driven by Appiah-Dankwah.

Ms Levy's boyfriend suffered minor injuries but she was pushed into the side of an oncoming vehicle, before striking the ground.

She suffered a devastating brain injury and subsequently died in hospital as a result of her injuries on February 2.

His reckless behaviour has resulted in the devastating loss of a young woman who had everything to live for." Detective Sergeant Cheryl Frost

After the collision Appiah-Dankwah failed a roadside eye sight test three times, a Met spokesman said.

He told the officer at the scene that he did not need glasses or contact lenses but this account changed in his interview.

He later admitted that he had attended hospital for his eyesight and also required contact lenses. He also admitted he was driving with no insurance.

Detective Sergeant Cheryl Frost, of the Metropolitan Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: "This is a tragic incident and I would like to reiterate my condolences to the family of Miss Levy, her boyfriend and friends. I also thank them for their unwavering support and the dignity they have shown throughout the investigation.

"Appiah-Dankwah should never have been driving that day, he was not properly insured and his reckless behaviour has resulted in the devastating loss of a young woman who had everything to live for."