A teacher who may have blacked out at the wheel before causing a horror crash which killed an elderly couple heading to a church bellringing practice has been jailed. David Peter Henderson, 45, caused an 'explosion' when he slammed head-on into a car driven by Patricia Evans, aged 68, whose husband Gareth, 70, was a front seat passenger. The smash happened after a series of risky manoeuvres by Henderson over several minutes including overtaking a line of traffic and speeding at what eyewitnesses estimated was 80-90mph, a court heard. The killer driver, himself now in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained in the crash at dusk on February 13, 2023, is now beginning a jail sentence of seven years and four months. Mr and Mrs Evans, of High Brigham, near Cockermouth, Cumbria — inseparable since meeting at Oxford University and known by friends as 'PatnGareth' — were heading to church at the time of the fatal crash. Gareth had worked as an industrial chemist at Sellafield, while his wife taught maths. They were long-term members of St John's Church, Workington, and integral to bell-ringing, choirs and music groups. In a moving impact statement, their son, self-employed musician Richard, made a direct address to Henderson during the sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court. He said: 'It is impossible to put into words the pain and heartbreak that you have caused, and the devastating loss that we have suffered as a result of your selfish, thoughtless actions. 'They were the most kind, generous, thoughtful, caring people. They did so much for us and gave so much to so many others, within their local communities and further afield. 'Two beautiful, amazing souls had everything taken away, and we didn't even get to say goodbye.' The court heard the crash happened when Henderson was on his way home from work as a primary school teacher in his red Volkswagen Golf. Moments before the crash on the A66 near Workington, Cumbria, Henderson overtook a Mazda whose driver recalled a blasting horn from the Golf along with 'repetitive and aggressive' headlight flashes. That driver believed Henderson then tried to run him off the road before accelerating away at an estimated 80-90mph, the court heard. The Mazda driver watched the Golf then make a slow steady movement right, into the opposite side of the carriageway 'He then, within seconds, saw an explosion,' prosecutor Kim Whittlestone told Preston Crown Court this afternoon (mon). Henderson was apparently unconscious as he drove, head-on, into Mrs Evans' blue Renault Clio. Shocked onlookers dialled 999. Data recovered from Henderson's vehicle airbag suggested there was little to no input, in terms of steering, accelerating or braking, by him in the five seconds prior to impact. The court heard Henderson had suffered from a heart condition since 2013 which caused blackouts and may have led to the crash. Crucially, Henderson latterly failed to inform the DVLA of one such blackout, in February 2022; also both that a pacemaker had been fitted and of a doctor's advice, in August that year, that he should not then drive until he had been blackout-free for six months. During what a judge called 'deceit and lies', Henderson also falsely told his head teacher, at St Mary's School, Salterbeck, that his licence had been returned when it had never been surrendered. Henderson, no longer a teacher, admitted two charges of causing death by dangerous driving. A man of previous good character, Henderson, of Carlisle, was not a wicked or thoughtless man, said his barrister, Michael Hayton KC but had done a 'wicked thing'. Sentencing Henderson, who was also banned from driving for 12 years, Judge Nicholas Barker said the Evans' deaths 'was, and is, a tragedy'. He said: 'Their loss is bitterly felt by their family. I know that this hearing, although it will come to a close today, will not provide continued relief for them. 'They are caught in their tragedy and their grief will continue.' Detective Constable Tim Fowkes, of Cumbria Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: 'Henderson's driving prior to the collision was reckless - and the very act of driving a motor vehicle whilst knowingly having an unresolved medical issue was, in itself, a very dangerous act. 'Henderson's selfish actions resulted in the tragic loss of Patricia and Gareth Evans - a husband and wife of 46 years who were simply making their way to St Michael's Church, Workington to lead a team of bell-ringers. 'Our thoughts are very much with Mr and Mrs Evans' family who have been left devastated and heartbroken.