A DEATH crash motorist was spared jail yesterday after a court heard his driving could have been affected by Diazepam - a prescription drug.

But George Harvey's sentence was criticised by one of the survivors of the crash.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Harvey, 59, was driving on the A688 near Spennymoor, County Durham when he saw a car for sale in a layby and changed direction.

His Fiesta was hit by another car and overturned, fatally injuring his friend, 54-year-old Jean Glass, who was a backseat passenger.

His other passenger, Shirley Cairns, of Waskerley Walk, Newton Aycliffe, was seriously hurt in the accident.

The 52-year-old was left on a life-support machine for a week and spent almost three months at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The court heard that medical reports showed that Harvey, who was on long-term sick leave, was given Diazepam for much longer than normally prescribed.

Paul Cleasby, defending, said: "The British Medical Association has been telling the Government for some time that Diazepam can be as dangerous as alcohol.

"He did not know that, and since this tragic accident he has voluntarily cut down his usage."

Judge Peter Bowers told Harvey, who pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving: "You were on Diazepam for much longer than normally prescribed and it seems to me that it must have impaired your concentration to a significant effect."

Yesterday, Harvey, of All Saints Road, Shildon, was given 12-months in jail, suspended for two years, and was disqualified from driving for five years.

After the case, Mrs Cairns said: "I'll never be the same again. I use a wheelchair, have bad nightmares, need a carer every day and see five specialists.

"When Jean died, a lovely woman lost her life and a lot of people lost a close friend.

"I'm disgusted with the sentence. It should have been tougher to suit the consequences of dangerous driving."

Mrs Cairns was a front-seat passenger in Harvey's car. She suffered chest injuries, a broken pelvis, and numerous fractures to the legs and hips.