A man who killed an eight-month-old baby and his auntie when he ploughed into the back of their car at 141mph while drunk and attempting to take a photo of his speedo has been jailed for 17 years.

Darryl Anderson, 38, was on his phone taking the snap moments before the horror crash and blew 95 on an alcohol breath test with a limit of 35.

It was on the A1(M) between Durham and Chester-le-Street in the early hours of Friday, May 31 when he hit double the speed limit and went into the back of Shalorna Warner’s Peugeot 308, killing two people; her baby Zackary Blades and 30-year-old sister Karlene Warner.

Zackary Blades brought joy, happiness and laughter into my life, mum Shalorna Warner told Durham Crown Court.Zackary Blades brought joy, happiness and laughter into my life, mum Shalorna Warner told Durham Crown Court. (Image: FAMILY)

Both were pronounced dead at the scene and Zackary, despite being strapped in, was flung into the oncoming traffic on the other side of the road. His mum Shalorna suffered minor injuries.

He played, “Russian Roulette with the lives of every man, woman and child” on the attempted journey between Newcastle Airport and his home in Rotherham, Judge Jo Kidd told Durham Crown Court on Tuesday (July 9) morning.

The court was told both cars were driving south from Newcastle Airport where Anderson had got off a flight, and Karlene had finished a shift as a flight attendant.

Karlene Warner had long aspired to work as a flight attendant, and had recently secured a job with TUI.Karlene Warner had long aspired to work as a flight attendant, and had recently secured a job with TUI. (Image: FAMILY)

They were both driving south and had to divert through Newcastle because of roadworks on the A1. A woman who witnessed Anderson driving on the A184 Felling Bypass “formed the view that the driver must have been drunk”, prosecutor Emma Dowling said.

Anderson was breathalysed at the scene and police recorded a 95mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35mg. Police also found an empty vodka bottle in the wreckage of his car.

Watch the moment Anderson is breathalysed by police

Shalorna recalled an “ear-splitting bang” when he ploughed into her car as she read her victim impact statement.

She told the court: “I remember just spinning and spinning. Inside car lights going on and off. Screaming, then we stopped.

“I looked to Karlene, she was pushed so far forward head first into the dashboard. I shouted her name, waiting for her to make a sound or move. In my head I thought ‘Karlene, I will come back to you, I need to get my baby'”.

The wreckage of Darryl Anderson's Audi after it crashed into Shalorna Warner's Peugeot at 140mph.The wreckage of Darryl Anderson's Audi after it crashed into Shalorna Warner's Peugeot at 140mph. (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

She told how she went around to the other side of the car to get her baby when she discovered, “there was no back of the car – it was crushed”. She went on to explain how she started searching for baby Zackary but couldn’t find him

She continued: “About 100 meters away I found his car seat. It was crushed. I turned it over, he still wasn’t there.”

Shalorna also ran to Anderson asking for help.

“He didn’t help… he never helped,” she told the court.

Darryl Anderson.Darryl Anderson. (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

It was a lorry driver coming in the opposite direction who stopped to help Shalorna and discovered Zackary’s body off the opposite northbound carriageway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anderson faced more than 50 of Karlene and Zackary’s family and shook in the dock as he heard the impact of his shocking crimes. 

Shalorna continued: “They never stood a chance of surviving.

“This maniac got in a vehicle knowing how much he had drunk."

Karlene’s partner Kieran Hutchinson told how they had discussed trying for another baby after she had secured her dream job as an air hostess. He called on Anderson to look him in the eye as he spoke.

Family and friends of Shalorna Warner embrace outside court after their loved ones' killer was jailed for 17 years.]Family and friends of Shalorna Warner embrace outside court after their loved ones' killer was jailed for 17 years.] (Image: PA)

He broke down in tears as he read a victim impact statement telling Anderson: “You have ruined my life. You have ruined my daughter’s life”.

Meanwhile, Zackary’s grandad Nigel Warner said in a statement: “Three bullets were fired that night.

“Two bullets killing the innocent lives of Karlene and Zackary. The other, straight through all of our hearts leaving a trail of destruction.”

The court was told Anderson, who was brought from HMP Doncaster to court for the hearing,  had previous convictions including for drink driving in 2006 and had been warned by police in Sheffield just a week earlier for his driving.

Prosecutor Emma Dowling told how he had made up a story in one police interview that he wasn’t driving and had picked up a hitchhiker, but police proved his claims to be false and he admitted guilt before the court on July 1.

She also told the court he had refused an alcohol blood test when taken to hospital citing a "fear of needles", but presents with several tattoos.

Anderson, of Clarell Walk, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, admitted two charges of causing death by dangerous driving last week and was hauled before Durham Crown Court in person on Tuesday (July 9) for sentencing.

In mitigation, Richard Davison KC told the court Anderson was profoundly sorry and that he wanted to “apologise to all those concerned”.

Mr Dawson continued: "He accepts he drove dangerously and caused the deaths of both Zackary and Karlene. No explanation can be provided by him how this terrible accident occurred."

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Judge Kidd sentenced Anderson to 17 years and three months in prison for both charges, running concurrently. He will serve two-thirds, just 11-and-a-half years before he will be released on license.

She also banned him from driving for a further 21-and-a-half years when he is released.

Paying tribute to their loved ones they said previously the family said: “I’m so sorry you never got to grow up. Our little Zack - mammy and daddy love you so much, you didn’t deserve any of this. You were such a happy, cheeky boy. I am so sorry this has happened - our hearts are truly broken. We will never forget you, you will always be in our hearts.”

Speaking about Karlene, they added: “You light up every room you walked into like the bright shining diamond that you were. You leave behind the most precious daughter, and she will know how amazing and special you were.”