A RACEHORSE owner and successful businessman was jailed yesterday for killing a woman in a high-speed crash when he was intoxicated.

The court was told that stock trader Michael Hall, who led a lavish lifestyle and was popular in the racing world, is a broken man following the accident which killed 32-year-old Sarah Lunn, assistant to Thirsk trainer David Nicholls.

Teesside Crown Court heard she was a passenger in Hall's high-powered Mercedes sports car when he lost control of the vehicle, which hit a fence and careered back on to Thirsk Road, at Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

Ms Lunn died instantly after a wooden stake from the fence lodged in her head.

Hall had travelled to Mr Nicholl's home, near Easingwold, in October to discuss the sale of his horse Loyal Tycoon, last year's winner at Epsom.

Adrian Dent, prosecuting, said the pair went for lunch in Easby, where they drank three bottles of wine. Hall also had a pint of lager.

They returned to the stables before Hall left with Ms Lunn, of Thormanby, and went to a nearby pub, where he had another pint before planning his drive home to Colchester, Essex.

Witnesses described the 39-year-old as driving like a boy racer.

He was approaching a bend when he lost control of the car, which was travelling at about 70mph. He was one-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

Mr Dent said: "He was showing off."

Nigel Sangster QC, in mitigation, said Hall, who had a rags to riches life after he started work in a greengrocers and became a successful trader with racehorses and a house worth £400,000, was devastated by his actions.

He suffers from post-traumatic stress, is on anti-depressants, unable to work and £200,000 in debt. His marriage is also in trouble.

Mr Sangster said: "He is a broken, shattered man.

"It has changed his personality. Before, he was cheerful, full of life and had a passionate love of racing.

"He has lost everything he had worked so hard for all these years"

Hall, who pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol, was jailed for three-and-a-half-years.