A DRIVER almost three times over the alcohol limit who hit and killed a teenage cyclist has been jailed for eight years.

Shelleen Wardle sobbed in court today as she heard how the death of Jordan Seddon, 17, has affected his "broken" family.

The teenage charity worker died in hospital after he was hit on his BMX by a Fiat Punto on Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough.

In a series of powerful victim personal statements, relatives told how they will never come to terms with his sudden death.

And they revealed that his decision - discussed just weeks before the tragedy - to donate his organs, has saved six lives.

Wardle, 41, admitted a charge of causing death by careless driving while over the legal alcohol limit at an earlier hearing.

The warehouse assistant, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, was said by her lawyer to be remorseful and full of regret.

Andrew Turton, mitigating, told Teesside Crown Court: "Not a day will go by in her life that she will not remember or reflect."

Wardle was found to have 91 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of her breath - well above the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

The court heard it was the fourth time she had been prosecuted for being drunk at the wheel of a car in the last 13 years.

Wardle, a mother-of-one, was told that she will have to serve a ten-year driving ban once she is freed from prison.

Judge Sean Morris said: "You are a danger to to the public behind a car wheel. You will be off the roads for a very long time, indeed."

An inquest into Jordan’s death opened last month, but was adjourned until after the criminal proceedings were completed.

Jordan was described by his family as "not a typical 17-year-old with a heart of gold" who always put others first.

He had ridden to a petrol station near his home, and was returning when he was hit from behind by Wardle's dark hatchback.

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield told the court that the car veered into a cycle lane at the side of the A171 before the collision.

Immediately after the crash, Wardle was heard by witnesses to say: "He was swerving all over the road. Im f***ing off."

A police officer who had been called by passers-by tried to stop her leaving, and she pulled into a street nearby.

Judge Morris rejected claims that she was in shock, and told Wardle: "You were doing your best to look after number one."

Jordan's family revealed that he worked in a charity shop, and had been planning for his 18th birthday, seven months ahead.

His grandfather, Keith Seddon, who along with his wife brought Jordan up from the age of one, described him as "my best mate".

Fighting back tears and turning to weeping Wardle in the dock, he said: "I feel so angry you have done this to us."

He added: "Jordan had a big birthday coming up next year. He would have been 18. He had such big plans. It is sickening."

The teenager's mother, Ruth Crown, said: "His smile and personality lit up the room. He would help anybody and had a heart of gold."

Alison Seddon, the wife of Jordan's dad, who was too upset to speak, described the teenager as their best friend.

She said: "He has left a massive hole in our hearts and our life. Jordan was an amazing boy, so kind-hearted and caring."

After the case, police described Wardle as "arrogant and ignorant" for trying to blame Jordan for the 12.20am crash.

Lead investigator, Inspector Harry Simpson, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “I welcome today’s sentence. Although I hope it may provide some comfort to Jordan’s family, it will never bring him back and they have been left devastated by his loss.

“This was Shelleen Wardle’s fourth conviction for a drink-driving related offence. She has shown arrogance and ignorance in continuing to offend in this way, which has tragically resulted in the death of a young boy who had his whole life ahead of him.

“This case is another example of the stark and sad reality of what can happen if a driver gets behind the wheel whilst intoxicated.

“Our thoughts remain with Jordan’s family and friends at this difficult time.”