A DRUNK motorist who killed a York woman after ignoring his friend's pleas not to drive has today been jailed for five years.

Stephen Terence Lees, 26, of Cliffe, admitted causing the death of law firm employee Wendy Nelson in a crash on the A63 on May 11, while driving on the wrong side of the road.

Lees had been drinking for six hours at the New Inn in Cliffe while watching the final matches of the Premiership season, and decided to drive the 1.6 miles home in his new BMW 320D.

Lees, a professional HGV driver, had left the pub just after 8pm, and a friend who had not been drinking had offered him a lift home as he was unfit to drive.

York Press:

Stephen Lees had been in the pub for six hours and ignored his friend's pleas not to drive

The friend opened the door of his own car and tried to persuade Lees, then suggested he stay at his brother's home across the road from the pub rather than risk driving, but Lees refused, saying he had to work at 4am the following day.

He crashed head on with Mrs Nelson's Kia Picanto as she returned to her home in Reighton Avenue, Clifton, after spending a weekend with her sister and her family.

Stephen Thornton, prosecuting, said there had been "a massive impact which caused the Kia's front offside to implode". An investigation showed Lees' vehicle had its headlights on full beam, was in the wrong lane, was travelling between 47mph and 54mph on the 60mph road, and had not braked at the moment of impact.

The court heard local resident Leslie Hodge was watching television with her husband when they heard "a huge bang which was so loud, it made the occupants of the house jump". Mrs Hodge and her husband went to the scene and phoned the emergency services, but paramedics later said Mrs Nelson had died instantly.

About a dozen members of Mrs Nelson's family were in court, and many wept as the details of the crash were read out, and a family statement said "we are not sure we will ever get over this unnecessary death."

Lees gave a reading of 139 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - just short of four times the legal limit.

Lees pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving whilst unfit through drink at a preliminary hearing in October. He was sentenced this afternoon to five years in prison.

Lees' lawyer Stephen Smithson told the court he had shown genuine remorse for his actions.

Judge Neil Clark, sentencing, said: "That remorse will be little consolation to those who suffer the loss of Mrs Nelson.

"You could have walked home in less than half an hour, but for some reason, probably because you weren't thinking straight because you had too much to drink, or because you needed the car to get to work, you chose to drive home. The consequences of that most momentary decision has left so many people with such a great loss."

Lees was also disqualified from driving for five years, and must take an extended driving test before he can reapply for his licence.

Inspector Michael Barron from North Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Investigation Team said: "This tragic case is a classic example of the dangers of getting behind the wheel after having consumed alcohol."