Jamie SmithA TEENAGER from Swindon has been jailed for six years after his best friend died during a high speed police chase.

Morris Herne was killed instantly when uninsured Jamie Smith lost control of his Rover and smashed into an oncoming car.

Smith, 18, who was going to be best man for Mr Herne at his wedding, was two and a half times over the drink-drive limit.

Residents in Hay Lane, Wroughton, where he lived with his parents, said they were shocked with the prison sentence.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said: "On the balance of things I think he probably deserved it.

"You have got to feel sorry for the family of the bloke that died."

The tragedy happened in Salisbury Road, Totton, Hampshire, after the pair had drunk six or seven pints of strong lager at a pub before being refused service because their loud behaviour was upsetting other customers.

Mr Herne, 24, then punched the landlord's son before speeding off in the Rover.

Charles Gabb, prosecuting at Southampton Crown Court, described how a policeman had stopped at traffic lights in the town, saw the vehicle approach, overtaking other traffic at speed and jump a red light.

He then chased the Rover, which was weaving in and out of traffic in an uncontrolled fashion going on the wrong side of the road and in excess of 60mph.

After the policeman eventually got Smith to pull into a car park, the teenager sped away again along the same stretch of road.

"There was an accident waiting to happen," said Mr Gabb, describing how Smith lost control of the Rover on the bend.

"The back swung out and the vehicle smashed into a Citroen."

The Rover then hit the wall of a house, bounced into the air, struck a tree and finished up on its roof.

The front passenger door was forced across the passenger seat and Mr Herne died instantly.

The driver of the other car, Joan Cummins, suffered a fractured pelvis and multiple cuts and bruises.

Her husband, who was sitting beside her, sustained a whiplash injury and an injury to his shoulder.

A further five people were described as walking wounded following the crash on the 30mph road on the outskirts of Southampton.

Smith, who was believed to have been a regular at the Mega Bowl bowling alley in Shaw Ridge, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving of Mr Herne, who came from Birmingham.

The pair had met in Southampton after travelling to the area looking for work.

Passing sentence, Judge David Griffiths said: "When you got into that car you were drunk, not under the influence of drink. Your driving was prolonged, deliberate and aggressive."

Smith was also banned from driving for nine years and must then take an extended test.

Ben Payne