THE family of prom queen Hayley Durston last night vowed they would never forgive the teenage drink-driver who killed her.

Saddat Abdul-Hakim was jailed for five years yesterday after admitting causing the death of his 17-year-old girlfriend by dangerous driving.

He was an estimated twoand- a-half times over the drink-drive limit when he lost control of his Rover 25 as he tried to overtake at speeds of up to 80mph through a village.

The Rover veered off the A689 in Bridge Street, Howden- le-Wear, County Durham – which is a 30mph zone – hit a bridge parapet and landed in a copse late on August 2, 2009.

Front-seat passenger Hayley, of Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

After Abdul-Hakim was sentenced at Durham Crown Court yesterday, a statement issued by Hayley’s father, Chris, mother, June, and sister, Michelle, described her as “a beautiful, intelligent and fun-loving young girl, on the threshold of her adult life”.

Referring to 19-year-old Abdul-Hakim, of Rose Terrace, Stanhope, they said: “While the five-year sentence goes some way towards helping us come to terms with the events which ultimately led to the tragic death of our daughter, it does not seem like proper justice to us.

“We continue to hold Hakim beneath our contempt and hope that he will always struggle to cope with all of the pain and suffering that he has caused, not only to Hayley, but to our family and friends as well – WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM.”

Paying tribute to Hayley, her family added: “She was much loved, not only by her own family, but also by her many friends and associates.

“The world has needlessly lost a much-loved and shining star. We all miss her terribly and she will always be in our hearts.

“A second never passes without our daughter, Hayley, being in our thoughts.” The family also thanked the emergency services who attended the scene that night, as well as the senior investigating officer, Sergeant Phil Grieve, and family liaison officer PC David Beverley.

Durham Crown Court earlier heard how Abdul-Hakim, then 17, had been drinking that night at a christening at Stanhope Workingmen’s Club and had gone to pick up Hayley from her home in Benbow Walk, Coundon, to take her back to the party.

He was driving from North Bitchburn towards Howden-le-Wear, when he was overtaken by a Suzuki Swift.

Witnesses estimated he was travelling at between 70mph and 80mph as he tried to re-overtake the Suzuki in the village.

The court heard that earlier in the journey, Abdul-Hakim, who broke his arm in the crash, sent six texts while driving.

A 16-year-old rear seat passenger, from Stanhope, suffered whiplash injuries.

Since the incident, Abdul-Hakim received another motoring conviction after he hit the back of a parked car while driving with his mobile phone between his legs.

Addressing the court before sentencing, his barrister, Peter Makepeace, spoke of Abdul-Hakim’s regret and remorse.

Judge Colin Burn said: “Clearly, the greatly excessive speed and his inability to control the vehicle because of the fact he was two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit, are two aggravating features.”

He told Abdul-Hakim: “The fact you were using your mobile phone while driving earlier on that journey shows something of your attitude.”

Passing sentence, Judge Burn, who also banned him from driving for four years, said it was “clear” he had been attempting to get back in front of the other car when he lost control at high speed.