A MAN who caused the death of a teenager in an horrific crash while driving under the influence of alcohol and a cocktail of drugs is beginning a jail sentence.

Connor Anthony Bainbridge, 21, of South View, Ushaw Moor, Durham, pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of 17-year-old Stephen Thompson, of Bearpark, Durham, on a road near Esh Winning last year.

The Northern Echo: TEEN: Stephen Thompson, 17, who died last year

KILLED: Stephen Thompson died in crash on Newhouse Road, Esh Winning

Sentencing Bainbridge to five years and four months in jail at Newcastle Crown Court, Mr Justice Goss said : “The consequences of what you did that morning can never be undone.

“A life was needlessly lost and the impact of that loss on his family is very understandably immense. It will remain with them for the rest of their lives."

The court was that after night without sleep and partying and consuming cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy as well as alcohol, Bainbridge had been riding in a Skoda Fabia in a “grossly reckless" at about 7am on Saturday July 1 last years

He was travelling at 69mph in a 40mph zone when he narrowly avoided head on crash with another car and almost collided with another car he was overtaking. His car gathered speed to 78mph as he approached the 30mph limit when he lost control.

The Skoda effectively took off and crashed into a wall.

Mr Thompson, who was a passenger in the back seat died at the scene of "unsurvivable multiple injuries", while a 17-year-old girl who was in the front passenger seat suffered serious injuries.

Bainbridge, who was also seriously hurt in the crash, was banned from driving for five years, with effect from when he is released from prison.