A BOUNDS Green driver who knocked down and killed a promising young student in East Barnet has been jailed.

Judge Simon Carr ignored family pleas for mercy for 26-year-old Aryelis Angelis as he handed down an eight-month prison term for mowing down and killing Elizabeth Beach-MacGeagh.

The 20-year-old philosophy student at Bristol University student was out jogging on June 16 last year in Netherlands Road when she was struck by Angelis' BMW 3 series.

A jury at Wood Green Crown Court heard evidence Angelis drove around a blind bend too fast before accelerating along a busy shopping parade before hitting Ms Beach-MacGeagh outside Oakleigh Park station.

Angelis, a resident of Tewkesbury Terrace, drove off after the accident, and later found a large hole “punched” in the front of the car, the court was told.

Ms Beach-MacGeagh died a few days after the accident, and after being urged by his father to hand himself in, Angelis went to Colindale Police Station where he was arrested.

Judge Carr, sentencing him today, said: “From the beginning, it must have been apparent to everyone in court that cases of this type are truly tragic. Nothing this court does by way of sentencing mitigates or reduces the pain, anguish, and suffering by Elizabeth's family.”

Angelis pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by careless driving, but he was convicted last week following a full trial.

Judge Carr added: “Possibly on his own or in conversation with others, Mr Angelis convinced himself what is known not to be the case – that he was not significantly responsible for this accident.”

Defence counsel presented several letters to the court testifying to Angelis' exemplary character, his volunteer work in the community, and evidence of panic attacks and convulsions he has suffered since the accident.

But the judge decided he had “failed to pass the critiria” for a suspended sentence and jailed him for eight months – half to be spent out on licence. He was also banned from driving for two years.

Ms Beach-MacGeagh had only been in London for a few days when she was killed, having travelled to the capital for an internship and was staying with friends in north London.

Her father, William MacGeagh, said following today's hearing: “I am sure I speak for my ex-wife as well when I say this has been the worst experience a parent can go through with the loss of a much-loved daughter who was always so very full of life, positive energy, and kindness for all.

“It is a particularly poignant time being the one-year anniversary of Elizabeth's death and again so close to Father's Day – I miss her beyond words.”

He said Angelis had approach him a few days ago and apologised for what happened, and he added: “I don't bear any anger towards the driver – it won't bring Elizabeth back yet he will have to live with the results of his actions and mistakes for the rest of his life.”