A football agent whose dangerous driving killed one highways worker and paralysed another has been jailed for seven years.

Peter Morrison, 37, had been speeding and sending a string of phone messages minutes before losing control of his Mercedes in "atrocious" weather conditions on the M6 in Cumbria

And, as he was sentenced on Friday, it was revealed that he had a previous conviction for using a mobile phone while driving.

The tragedy at Tebay - in February 2016 - happened as Morrison's car swerved "violently" off the southbound carriageway, across the hard shoulder and rebounded off a rock before ploughing into two highways workers who were stood watching the recovery of two previously-crashed vehicles.

Adam Gibb, a 51-year-old married dad from Penrith, was killed while his colleague, Paul Holroyd, of Kirkby Stephen, suffered life-changing injuries. Mr Holroyd, now aged 53, was left permanently paralysed from the chest down.

Morrison admitted careless driving, yet denied that dangerous driving caused Mr Gibb's death and Mr Holroyd's serious injuries.

But he was convicted, unanimously, of both offences following a trial.

Jurors heard Morrison had exchanged 25 phone messages during the 23 miles. The last he sent, 96 seconds before the crash, was to Nottingham Forest's Zach Clough - a link to video footage of a wonder goal the striker had scored.

Prosecutor Arthur Gibson told Liverpool Crown Court that the agent - who had since lost his job - had been travelling at a "grossly excessive speed" for the poor conditions.

One motorist described seeing Morrison's Mercedes "flying off like a torpedo".

Moving victim impact statements were read to the hushed court by Mr Gibb's widow, Julie Labbett, and on behalf of Mr Holroyd.

Mr Holroyd stated: "The biggest impact the accident has had on me is that I can't do anything for myself, and have to rely on others 24 hours a day."

His statement was read by Mr Gibson, who added: "The result is that it leaves him with a lot of worry and anxiety; he feels very one-sided; he feels exhausted."

Morrison had been a professional footballer who played for Bolton Wanderers and Scunthorpe United before his career was cut short by injury aged 21.

"He can't find the words to explain to his son where daddy is going to go, and he will never get that time back that he will lose, when he is sent to custody," Mr Holroyd said.

In a letter to the court , Morrison - who had been guilty, in 2012, of using a mobile phone while behind the wheel - wrote of the crash: "I will punish myself, mentally, for this until the day I die."
Peter Morrison

Mr Justice William Davis told Morrison the jail term he was imposing "does not begin to reflect the true value of the lives you have wrecked".

He also received an eight-year driving ban.

Inspector Jo Fawcett, of Cumbria Police, said: “Morrison’s driving manner showed reckless disregard for the safety of other road users which has resulted in Mr Gibb losing his life and Mr Holroyd suffering horrendous injuries which will impact on the rest of his life.

“Morrison’s decision to drive at an inappropriate speed for the road conditions, whilst using a mobile phone no less, have directly led to this tragic outcome.

“Our thoughts remain with our Highways England traffic officer colleagues and their families. Adam Gibb lost his life and Paul Holroyd is permanently paralysed."