A FATHER from Banbury who was jailed for causing the death of a young doctor eight years ago has been sent back to prison for his role in two burglaries.

Nolan Haworth, 27, of Ribston Close, was sentenced to three years and four months at Oxford Crown Court yesterday after he admitted being part of a masked group carrying weapons that raided homes in Banbury and Witney.

Ben Plant, 28, of North Street in Banbury, was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for his role in the Witney burglary.

In September 2006, Haworth was jailed for four years for causing the death of Dr Margaret Davidson on the A4260 Oxford to Banbury road, near Deddington, a case that reduced Judge Julian Hall to tears.

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Yesterday Matthew Walsh, prosecuting, told the court that Haworth was part of a group that burgled a home in Mold Crescent, Banbury, at about 9pm on November 9 last year.

The court heard they forced their way into the house wearing balaclavas and one hit the resident in the face with a hammer, leaving him with a cut.

The group left with mobile phones but police later traced Haworth’s vehicle after he was earlier spotted by neighbours “scoping out” the house.

Officer searched his home and found a balaclava, gloves stained with the victim’s blood and weapons including a baseball bat and hammer in his loft.

Mr Walsh said the second burglary was carried out in Shores Green, Witney, on March 28 this year at about 1am.

The gang tried to force entry using a sledgehammer but was scared off by a resident, armed with an ornamental sword.

Haworth’s blood was found on a fragment of smashed glass and he was later arrested, while police tracked down getaway driver Plant as his mobile phone was used to earlier call the victim.

Both defendants told police they carried out “subordinate” roles and did not carry any weapons.

Haworth, appearing via video link from Bullingdon Prison, read out a letter to the court in which he said he was “gutted” he would miss so much of his two-year-old son’s life. He added: “I’m truly sorry about everything and just wish I could have been stronger to stop what happened.”

Lucy Tapper, defending Plant, said he had Huntington’s disease, which causes gradual loss of brain functioning, and financial problems after fighting for custody of his two young children.

Judge Ian Pringle said: “This type of behaviour is wholly unacceptable.”

The pair had previously denied aggravated burglary but pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of burglary.

Haworth was driving without a licence, in a borrowed car and with no insurance when he killed Dr Davidson, 26, who was driving home to Kidlington after a night shift at Banbury’s Horton General Hospital on May 18, 2006.

He was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

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