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A disqualified driver fleeing police was jailed for 10 years and six months for killing a couple he mowed down in a car as they rode their tandem bike.

Nicky Lovell, 38, pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of "perfect couple" Ross Simon, 34, and wife Clare, 30, by dangerous driving in the crash at Hanham, near Bristol, on January 27 this year.

Lovell, of Oldland Common, South Gloucestershire, was also banned from driving for life when he was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today.

He had also admitted driving while disqualified during a previous hearing.

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Speaking to the Press Association, several witnesses described seeing a "beheading" while another described seeing a man wearing a Help for Heroes T-shirt being attacked with a machete-style knife and dumped in the street.

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Twitter user @Biet_Le shared this image of the scene in Woolwich which appears to show three bodies on the ground.

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Woolwich and Greenwich MP Nick Raynsford said it was his understanding that one person, a serving soldier, was dead and the two alleged suspects were in a serious condition in hospital.

He said he had spoken to both borough commander Richard Wood and Lieutenant Colonel Bob Christopher at Woolwich Barracks.

The incident occurred early afternoon. One individual is dead, two others are seriously injured and in hospital.

The circumstances causing the incident are not yet clear. It's been suggested it was the product of a road traffic accident, but that's pure speculation.

I'll be talking to everyone who is involved, we will be trying to do everything possible to try and ensure calm in the area. People will be very, very shocked.

We think a serving soldier was the victim. We don't know the circumstances surrounding the incident.

We do know a number of weapons have been seized. They include a gun, various knives, and a machete, apparently.

The police clearly had to take action in order to try and arrest these individuals.

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Police have confirmed that one person is dead and two others injured, one seriously, in hospital, after the incident in Woolwich this afternoon.

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After a short break, prosecutor Elwen Evans QC began her cross-examination.

She asked the defendant: "What did you do with April's body?"

"I don't know," Mark Bridger replied.

"You have absolutely no idea?" Miss Evans asked.

"Is that what you are telling the jury?"

Can you just consider the scale and scope of the police search? You have heard the evidence - can you agree whatever you did with April's body, you got rid of her so thoroughly that no part of her, apart from possibly the blood and bone, has been found? Do you agree?

"I'm not proud of it," Bridger replied.

"Well, you did it," Miss Evans retorted.

"I don't know what happened," Bridger said.

• April accused gives evidence

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Woolwich and Greenwich MP Nick Raynsford has told BBC 5 Live that one person is dead and two others were seriously injured in the incident in Woolwich:

Local #Woolwich MP Nick Raynsford tells @bbc5live "one individual is dead, two others seriously injured" Live: http://t.co/1xfbCH7GYR

From @bbc5live on Twitter: (37 minutes ago)

Nick Raynsford MP says #Woolwich "a serious incident involving a number of weapons" Latest live: http://t.co/1xfbCH7GYR

From @bbc5live on Twitter: (36 minutes ago)

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Disqualified driver Nicky Lovell, 38, has been jailed at Bristol Crown Court for 10 years and six months for killing husband and wife Ross, 34, and Clare Simons, 30.

He crashed into them as they rode their tandem bike while he was fleeing police.

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A local headteacher told BBC News that he had seen a body lying on the ground a short distance from his school.

He then heard gunshots and instructed staff to lock school gates.

Most of the schoolchildren have now gone home, he added.

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