THE family of a Worcester woman who committed suicide more than two years ago has condemned a drink-driver for using her death as an excuse for a fatal accident where he killed a pensioner.

At Worcester Crown Court Roy Pope was sentenced to six years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

In his defence the court was told he knew what he had done was "unforgivable" and "it led to tragic circumstances. His girlfriend died."

But angry members of Judy Harding's family have revealed she actually died on her birthday in February, 1999 after taking a drugs overdose - two-and-a-half-years ago.

"What he's done is awful and to mention her in court is not on," said mum Phyllis Rice, of Liverpool Road, Ronkswood. "It's sick, and he shouldn't have done it.

"It has been very hard to live with, and to see what he'd done is just awful."

Pope, of Avon Road, Tolladine, was sent to prison after admitting causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving, and driving uninsured and also without a licence.

Worcester Crown Court heard how he got high on drink and drugs, including rum, cannabis, anti-depressants and six diazepam before getting behind the wheel.

He crashed into the car of Robert and Joan Chance on Lansdowne Road and fled the scene.

Ten days after the crash, Mrs Chance died and Mr Chance spent three weeks in intensive care after being treated for three broken ribs and a ruptured gall bladder.

At an inquest into Judy's death in November, 1999, her family accused Pope of "destroying" her.

They wept as the inquest heard how she had spiralled into depression, heroin and amphetamine use, and frequently rowed with Pope.

"He was using Judy as an excuse and as far as I'm concerned he should have got life," said Linda Thomasson, Judy's older sister, of Liverpool Road, Ronkswood.