A DRIVER who crashed into a lamppost killing his front seat passenger after drinking and smoking drugs has been jailed.

Joseph Ord was driving a black Peugeot with four friends when he hit a lamppost in Bilford Road, Worcester.

All four were trapped inside the wreckage, and Anthony Rogers, aged 20, who was sitting in the front passenger seat died from his injuries.

A statement by Mr Rogers’ mother said her son, who was known as Ant, dreamed of joining the Army, was hard working with a passion for football.

Ord, aged 21, appeared at Worcester Crown Court for sentencing yesterday where he admitted causing the death of Mr Rogers as well as driving with excess alcohol and under the influence of drugs.

He was jailed for three years and eight months.

Prosecutor Paul Whitfield said Ord, aged 21, was driving a black Peugeot with four friends on May 25 last year, when they decided to get food after midnight from McDonald’s. Olivia Hunt was initially in the front seat but she swapped places with Mr Rogers. She noticed there was a bottle of whisky in the car and a smell of cannabis.

Another passenger, Darren Nicholls, complained about the car being driven too fast and the loud music being played. Police in a car near Bilford Road, where the crash happened, described the Peugeot as “flying.”

All four were trapped inside the car when it failed to negotiate a left-hand bend near the re-cycling depot. Firefighters had to cut the roof off the car to release them but Mr Rogers died at the scene.

It was calculated that the car was doing 50mph when it hit the lamppost although one of the passengers claimed he had seen 75-80mph on the speedometer. Just before the impact, Mr Rogers was heard to say “Here we go” and those were his last words, said Mr Whitfield.

Mr Nicholls said no-one was encouraging the driver to speed but he appeared to lose control and thought he could have been showing off. Mr Nicholls sustained a broken jaw and wrist.

A breath test showed that Ord had a level of 53mcg of alcohol in his system - the legal level is 35mcg. A blood test showed presence of cannabis, which could have impaired his ability to drive.

Ord, of Sapphire Crescent, St John’s, Worcester, said to be of good character with no convictions, made a “no comment” interview at the police station.

His counsel, Charles Row, submitted 11 references. Ord had been 20 at the time of the crash, which had seen a complete change in his character. He had not intended to drive that evening after watching football at a friend’s house, he had decided to go for a drive at 11.30pm.

He had been talking with Olivia Hunt when the others had climbed into the car and they had decided to drive through the city to get takeaway food.

Mr Row said that analysis of CCTV footage showed the average speed earlier was 42mph. Ord’s remorse was genuine and he had been undergoing counselling because of his change in character.

Mr Whitfield read to the court a statement made by Angeline Rogers. She recalled that her son had a great sense of humour and was hard-working, with three jobs on the go at the same time.

Mr Rogers, of Isaac Walk, Worcester, was a welder, worked in his parents’ printing business and as a removal man.

His passion was football and after school at Hallow and Martley was the respected captain of Oldbury Park Tigers. He played for Hallow men’s team and had been scouted by Birmingham City.

He had wanted to make a career in the Army and his death had devastated the family.

Judge Michael Cullum said he gave Ord credit for making an early guilty plea but it would have been better to have done this rather than an “no comment” interview. He should never have been driving after smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol. He was not experienced as he had only passed his test four months before.

The judge said he had shown a cavalier attitude to drinking although the references showed he was a decent young man. He had lost control of his car on a pretty innocuous bend with tragic consequences.

Ord was disqualified from driving for three years and must also take an extended test before he is allowed on the road again. No separate penalties were imposed for the drink and drug offences.