A MOTORIST has been jailed for four years after his decision to drink and drive resulted in the death of a young man in Basingstoke.

Richard Storry, 34, of Evesham Road, Worcestershire, pleaded guilty to causing the death of 27-year-old Alton man Chris Burgess by driving without due care and attention while over the legal alcohol limit.

Storry was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for three years.

The court heard how on the evening of May 12, Storry decided to drive his parents’ Volkswagen Tigun from Lasham Airfield to Basingstoke in order to get a burger, despite being almost twice the drink drive limit.

The judge heard that Storry travelled a quarter of a mile down the wrong side of the A339 at Winslade before colliding head on with the Volkswagen Golf being driven by Mr Burgess.

Mr Burgess was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Sergeant Darren Ord said: “Time and again we are faced with the devastating consequences of drink driving. Despite the clear and obvious dangers of getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol people continue to ignore them and think it won’t happen to them.

“The death of Mr Burgess could have been avoided if Storry had simply not made the reckless and irresponsible decision to drive that night.

“This sentence will never be able to make up for the devastation caused to the family of Mr Burgess but I hope it sends a strong message to those who think it is ok to drink and drive – it is not worth the risk and we will not tolerate it.

“Our roads policing teams are currently in the middle of our summer crackdown on drink and drug driving and there is no starker warning than this incident to show how a decision to get behind the wheel after drinking can destroy lives.”