Driver over limit in death crash

Raymond Tristram had dedicated much of his later life caring for his mother

A disqualified driver who was twice the drink limit and had taken cocaine before he crashed into a taxi killing its driver, has been jailed.

Darren Neesham, 30, of Alltwen in the Swansea valley was being pursued by police when he collided head-on with Raymond Tristram's taxi.

He admitted four charges including causing death by dangerous driving at Swansea Crown Court earlier this week.

Mr Tristram's family said the eight year prison sentence was "a joke".

The court heard that on 18 July Neesham had spent most of the day in pubs and clubs in Pontardawe and Swansea celebrating his 30th birthday.

He was driving home from Swansea's Wind Street at about 1am when he was spotted by police.

It was, to say the least, a monumental collision Geraint Walters, prosecuting

During a pursuit which lasted almost four miles, Neesham reached speeds of up to 100mph.

As he overtook a car on the approach to the village of Glais he crashed head on into Mr Tristram's taxi.

Prosecuting, Geraint Walters said: "It was, to say the least, a monumental collision."

The 62-year-old grandfather from Neath, who was working at the time, died a short time later at the scene.

In a victim impact statement his elder brother John said Mr Tristram was an "intelligent, thoughtful and caring man".

He said his brother had dedicated much of his later life to caring for his 95-year-old mother who had now survived him.

Judge Keith Thomas was told Neesham had a string of motoring convictions dating back 12 years.

These included 11 convictions for driving while disqualified, four for drink driving and numerous for aggravated vehicle-taking.

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In one previous incident he had driven deliberately at police.

In mitigation Ian Wright said Neesham had shown remorse, had never intentionally taken cocaine and had himself been badly injured in the collision.

Neesham was not in court for sentencing but appeared via video link from Swansea prison.

Judge Thomas told him he was "no ordinary drink driver" but one with an "appalling previous history of offending".

He told Neesham he had shown a "callous disregard for the safety of others" but he had to take into account the fact he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Neesham admitted causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, drink driving and driving without insurance.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Tristram's brother John said: "He will be out [of jail] in four years - it's a joke."