A MILLIONAIRE businessman who caused the death of a 44- year-old mother on a North Yorkshire road has been banned from driving for two years.

York Crown Court heard how Philip Burgan, 57, lost control of his Audi R8 on ice near Harrogate in February, and collided with a Suzuki Vitara being driven by Diane Scott, of Bradford.

She was killed in the smash and her ten-year-old daughter suffered serious head, stomach and spinal injuries.

Prosecuting at York Crown Court, Bashir Ahmed said Burgan had been driving to the gym at 7.30am on the A658, and recent snow had left slush and ice on a section of the road.

He said: “The Suzuki was driving in a normal manner.

Witnesses suggest the defendant was speeding, although we cannot be sure he was indeed exceeding the 60mph limit.

“His Audi must have encroached on to oncoming traffic as the collision took place on the opposite carriageway.”

Mitigating, Richard Clews said that Burgan, of Ling Lane in Leeds, had not broken the speed limit and had no prior warning of the ice and slush on the corner where he crashed.

Mr Clews said: “He is desperately sorry. He did not for a moment intend to commit an offence. He himself has been deeply affected by events that morning although in a different and far less severe way to the family of Mrs Scott.”

Burgan pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at an earlier hearing and was given a two-year driving ban.

He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order and told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £1,200 costs.