A DISQUALIFIED driver who killed his 18-year-old friend in a high-speed car crash while being pursued by police was jailed for eight years yesterday.

John McNaughton drove at 70mph in icy conditions last February, before he crashed the Vauxhall Vectra he was driving into two trees.

McNaughton's close friend, Craig Morris, died from head injuries and a ripped spleen after the accident.

Another passenger, 23-year-old Craig Stephenson, survived the accident, near The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. Two months later, he was stabbed to death on the town's Grove Hill estate during a gang fight.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday that McNaughton had one of the worst driving records the court had seen.

Witnesses to the accident said there was a large amount of vehicle debris across the road, likening it to a "bomb burst".

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the accident happened at about 1.15am on February 22 after police pulled up beside Mr Stephenson's vehicle, which was driven by McNaughton.

He said: "The vehicle drove off at speed through a red light on Acklam Road. A marked police car started to follow it.

"The vehicle had its lights turned off and was driving at speeds of 70mph in icy conditions, before mounting a footpath and driving through bollards.

"Several marked police vehicles were involved in the pursuit and an air support unit was en route to the area. The car drove on to Marton Road and spun out of control, through a garage forecourt and exited on the wrong side of the road."

The car was driven back along Marton Road, across a grass verge and on the wrong side of the road, before McNaughton lost control and crashed.

Mr Dodds said: "The defendant was trapped in the driver's seat and had to be pulled from the vehicle by two police officers, clearly risking their own lives as the engine was smoking and fuel was leaking.

"Tragically, Craig Morris, 18 years of age, died in hospital."

The court heard that McNaughton, 22, of Bethune Road Middlesbrough, had a string of driving convictions including nine offences of driving while disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking and driving with excess alcohol.

Tom Mitchell, in mitigation, said: "To say sorry on behalf of my client will be little comfort to the family of the deceased, but for what it is worth, it is true. The man has killed his friend."

McNaughton pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and also admitted supplying crack cocaine.

Judge Peter Bowers said: "I accept Craig was a close friend of yours that you will bear in mind for many years to come."

* The Independent Police Complaints Commission is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the accident.