A MOTORIST who caused the death of his friend after driving him home from a pub while almost three times over the limit has been jailed for four years.

James Hardman, 30, suffered cuts and bruises in the smash when his Vauxhall Cavalier crashed head-on with a Vauxhall Zafira on the B8313 between Craghead and Grange Villa, near Stanley.

But front seat passenger Graham Johnson, 32, was killed in the crash, on July 23 last year.

Hardman, of Poplar Street, South Moor, Stanley, admitted causing death by careless driving while over the legal limit at an earlier hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

He was back before the court this week and wept as prosecutor Christopher Williams told the court how the smash happened on the B6313 as Hardman drove a group of men home from the Johns Castle Inn at Craghead.

Mr Williams said: "The defendant had been drinking in the pub before the journey and had some drink earlier that day as well."

Michael Marshall, 27, who had been a rear seat passenger in the smash said he thought Hardman was driving at between 80-90mph and was sufficiently disturbed by the driving that he put his seat belt on.

Mr Williams said the accident occured as Hardman approached the brow of a hump-backed bridge. He said: "He lost control and swerved to the right on to the grass on the near side.

"The vehicle came back on the road but over-corrected and was now on the wrong side of the road.

"It swerved back onto the near side but this time collided with the crash barrier and re-bounded into a car."

The driver of the other vehicle, Carol Harrison, braked but was unable to avoid a collision.

Mr Johnson died at the scene. Mrs Harrison suffered chest pain and a shoulder injury. Her father, who was travelling in her vehicle, suffered a fractured breast-bone and hand.

Mr Marshall suffered internal injuries.

Judge Peter Armstrong jailed Hardman for four years and banned him from the roads for five years.

He said: "It is fortunate no-one else was killed in this tragic accident. You have to live with the knowledge you have taken the life of a young man. That will be with you for the rest of your life."

Defence barrister John Lowe said: "He wishes he could turn the clock back in terms of the devastation brought upon Mr Johnson's family.

"He shows genuine remorse, he is a man who knows the wrong he has done.