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| Killed: Steven Moore |
Uninsured L-driver Kirby Harty, 30, pinched the keys to his ex-girlfriend's Vauxhall Vectra after downing five double whiskeys at a nightclub and crashed during a high-speed bid to evade police.
Sixty sobbing relatives and friends of 25 year-old Steven Moore (pictured) a former BP buyer, packed Croydon Crown Court during the highly-charged sentencing in which they were denied the opportunity to read aloud their victim impact statements.
Mr. Moore had just been picked-up with his friend Glenn Purvey, 24, at Carshalton Beeches train station by his pal's girlfriend Rhia Vassallo, 22, after the Tottenham fans watched their team play Hull City.
Harty, of Gaskell Street, Clapham pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in the early hours of January 17 in Wrythe Lane, Carshalton.
Mr. Moore suffered a broken neck when the Vectra crashed into the back of the stationary Renault Clio - driven by Rhia - and died on January 18 of diffuse brain swelling caused by a severe head injury.
Prosecutor Mr. Hamish Reid told the court the defendant confessed to police he had low-tolerance to spirits, but drank five double Jack Daniels and coke at 'Chicago's', Sutton.
His ex - the mother of his two daughters - ordered him to leave her home because of his drunken condition and Harty, who had just been fined for driving uninsured and without a full licence, grabbed her keys when her back was turned.
A police driver outside Sutton Police Station tried to stop Harty after spotting him jumping two red lights, ignoring a no entry sign and driving the wrong way along a one-way street.
He sped away, nearly colliding with another car, and claims he lost control on a speed bump, hitting the victim's vehicle as it waited to turn right.
"The Renault Clio was struck very violently from behind by the Vauxhall Vectra," explained Mr. Reid.
Harty fled the scene, escaping into a recreation ground, but was caught by police on the other side minus a shoe and with wet and ripped clothing.
At the police station his blood alcohol reading was 179 - the drink-drive limit is 80.
He told officers: "I don't have much memory because I was quite drunk."
Judge Stephen Waller told Harty: "You were driving at high speed and a member of the public says you were driving like a maniac.
"You struck that car at high speed from behind and the deceased, a passenger in that vehicle, subsequently died. You ran into the recreation ground, you were clearly trying to get away.
"No sentence that I pass can make amends or cure the enduring pain relatives and friends are suffering," added the Judge. "A young life has been lost in totally senseless circumstances."
Harty's lawyer Mr. Gordon Ross said: "The defendant would like to express his deep sorrow and regret.
"He has been unable to explain what possessed him that evening to take his girlfriend's car and drive off.
"He panicked because he knew if he was stopped by police he would be in a great deal of trouble.
"He accepts driving like a complete idiot and the fact he has caused somebody else's death will haunt him."
Harty will be released after four years, minus the two-and-a-half months he has spent on remand.
He was disqualified from driving for four years and must pass an extended driving test before he is granted a full licence.
There were angry outbursts from the packed courtroom as Harty was taken away with Mr. Moore's father shouting: "I'll kill him."
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