Family 'broken' after Norfolk man killed by drink driver

Jake Nicholson, 33, was seen "necking vodka" from a bottle before getting into his Mitsubishi Shogun which crashed into a motorbike being ridden by Braden-Lee Payne on Cattle Market Street, near to the junction with Bridge Street, Fakenham.

Norwich Crown Court heard Mr Payne, 26, had been enjoying a "really good evening out" with one of his friends, David Cooper, who was a passenger on his bike at the time.

John Morgans, prosecuting, said Mr Payne had been heading to The Limes pub and had been waiting at the junction on Bridge Street when Nicholson "cut the corner" and hit the bike.

He said Mr Payne was knocked off "before going under the car" adding "the defendant then drives away with Mr Payne under the car and drives over him".

Paramedics together with the air ambulance attended to treat Mr Payne following the crash, which happened at about 11.15pm on August 17 last year, but he died in hospital as a result of his injuries the following day.

Nicholson was found to be more than twice the legal drink drive limit.

But Mr Morgans said "not only had he been drinking but he drove having taken class A drugs".

After driving off Nicholson crashed into a wall on Dereham Road before being located by police shortly afterwards on North Drive, Fakenham.

Mr Morgans said an eye-witness had earlier seen Nicholson "carrying a bottle of vodka as he got into the car to drive away".

The witness also described "tyres screeching" as Nicholson drove off with the vehicle sounding as if "its guts were ripped out".

Mr Cooper, the pillion passenger, suffered injuries after being knocked off the bike and was still suffering "ongoing effects" as a result.

Nicholson, of no fixed address, appeared at court on Thursday (February 9) having previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and dangerous driving.

Before he was sentenced the court heard statements from Mr Payne's parents.

His father Mark said he was a "broken person" since his son's death adding he was "devastated I will never see him again". 

"I struggle with everyday life, I struggle to get up every day and get dressed but I have to put a brave face on for my daughter and family.

"I see the effect it's had on my daughter's life - he was her best friend."

Mr Payne's mother Kirsty, who described her son as "loving, kind and gifted", said she felt "cheated, robbed and broken" he had been "taken away from me too soon".

She said: "I'm hollow, life has no meaning."

She added: "I dread every day because I don't get to speak to him - he's not here, he won't be here."

"I cry for him every day.

"Professionals tell me it will get easier but it doesn't.

Jailing Nicholson for seven-and-a-half years Judge Anthony Bate said the defendant "realised that something dreadful had happened but you chose to make off from the scene and collided with a house".

Judge Bate acknowledged the "powerful tributes" to a much-loved son in what he described was a "tragic" case.

Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said Nicholson, who should receive credit for his pleas, had "expressed very sincere regret" at what happened.

He said he was "remorseful and ashamed of his behaviour that night" which came after he had become homeless after the breakdown of a relationship.

Nicholson was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.