Driver jailed over father's death

Scott Irwin and his partner Jodie Carroll had a young son

A 25-year-old man has been jailed for six years after a young father was killed in a road crash.

Lee Philip Whettall from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court over the death of Scott Irwin, 23, in March last year.

Whettall was two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit when his van hit a car in which Mr Irwin was a passenger, Hereford Crown Court heard.

He was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving on 10 June.

Three other people were injured in the crash at the junction of the A451 Minster Road and Oldington Lane in Kidderminster in the early hours of 31 March 2008.

Following the sentencing, the investigating officer, Pc Andy Saunders, said his thoughts were with Scott Irwin's family.

'Challenging' investigation

"This last year must have been a very difficult time for them and we hope that they will now be able to move forward with their lives," he said.

Pc Saunders, from North Worcestershire's road policing unit, thanked the witnesses who helped secure the conviction.

"With one young man losing his life and three teenagers suffering serious injuries, this investigation has been challenging from the outset.

Pc Saunders said the case showed how a moment of recklessness could have devastating consequences.

"We sincerely hope that anyone learning the details of this case will reflect on their own behaviour on the road," he said.