From The BBC site:

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/4315854.stm)

Drink-drive deaths youth jailed

A teenager has been sentenced to five years in prison for killing two Tyneside musicians in a hit-and-run.
Kyle Barthram, 17, from Somerset Place in Newcastle, admitted causing the deaths of Keith Morris and Joseph Scurfield by dangerous driving.

He also admitted driving without a licence, insurance and drink-driving.

Mr Morris, 52, and friend Mr Scurfield, 47, were killed when Barthram lost control of the BMW car he was driving on Newcastle's Westgate Road last June.

'Genuine remorse'

Mr Morris, from Elswick, was well known in local jazz circles as a musician and composer and Mr Scurfield, also of Elswick, was a member of the popular comedy and music group the Old Rope String Band.

Mr Morris died at the scene while his friend died at Newcastle General Hospital.

The court heard that while on bail, Barthram accepted a request by Mr Scurfield's partner, Dutch-born Rianne Abbink, to go and see his body in a funeral parlour in atonement for his actions.


Judge John Milford told the sobbing teenager: "I accept you have shown genuine remorse.

"I also have regard to the impact these deaths have had on the families of the deceased and due regard to the compassionate approach these families have taken to your plight."


Mr Morris's widow, Ellen Phethean, said: "I'm sure the young man driving the car did not intend to take two lives.

"Nothing that happens now can bring back my husband and my children's father or our friend Joe Scurfield. This is a tragedy for all concerned.

"Hate is a destructive emotion and what I would prefer is a clearer understanding of how such terrible accidents can arise and more thought put into prevention and help for young men like this.

"I hope he will have an opportunity for reflection and is ultimately helped to put something back into the community to repair in some way the sad damage he has caused.

"I hope he can make something positive of his life so that good comes out of this awful event, as Keith and Joe would have wanted."

I hope this can bring some sort of closure, to the families, who have shown forgiveness, way beyond that which I feel I would have been able to.


Bless you, What a wonderful example you set for the rest of the human race.

Ian