A 21-year-old drink driver who killed a 22-year-old man and left a family devastated has been jailed for four years.

John Joe Scott, from Wingfield Road, Lakenheath, was killed when Steven Samuel, from Hasse Road, in Soham, lost control of his blue Ford Focus while travelling on Undley Road at around 5.30am on October 19, 2013.

Mr Scott was the front-seat passenger in the car when it struck a tree at the side of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Samuel was arrested at the scene and charged with one count of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

He pleaded guilty to the charge at Ipswich Crown Court last Thursday and was today sentenced to four years in prison.

Investigating Officer, Pc Karl Hale, said: 'Yet again, a family in Suffolk has been left devastated by a loved one being killed by a drink-driver.

'Steven Samuel has some years behind bars to reflect on his reckless actions from that October night. John-Joe's parents and friends are still reeling from events nearly a year on.

'It frustrates us that people still take fail to heed police messages about drink-driving and don't realise that a car is a potentially deadly weapon.

'We here at Suffolk Police are committed to enhancing road safety in the county through education and enforcement. We take this role as seriously as preventing and reducing crime. Drink-driving is socially unacceptable and will seriously jeopardise an individual's career prospects.'

Samuel was also disqualified from driving for seven years.