A DANGEROUS driver who killed a 22-year-old in a car smash near Chesham has been jailed for two years.

Andrew Sanderson, 48, of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, killed Richard Deason when he lost control of his speeding Jaguar XKR on the B485 Missenden Road.

Judge Gordon Risius CB said: "This case has completely devastated the Deason family. It has even prevented some of them from working."

Aylesbury Crown Court heard that Mr Deason, of Berkley Avenue, Chesham, was killed instantly in the crash on Easter Monday.

Sanderson, who also suffered serious injuries, was attempting to overtake two vans at around 80mph while approaching a corner.

His Jaguar spun across the road, narrowly avoiding one car. When trying to regain control of the vehicle he swerved, causing the head-on fatal crash with Mr Deason.

Timothy Mouseley, defending, said Sanderson's life, and that of his family, had been ruined by the crash.

An assessment of Sanderson by a psychiatrist found he was suffering from severe depression and was a strong risk of suicide.

The report said: "He will never be able to forgive himself for causing the death of Mr Deason. He is suffering from severe depression as a result of the tragedy."

Mr Mouseley said: "He has never offended before, never thought of committing a crime. Until 15 months ago he had led a blameless life."

He added: "He knows he is responsible for the death of a young man with his whole life ahead of him which is a terrible burden to bear."

Judge Risius said: "The offence was so serious that a custodial sentence is justified. You are responsible for causing the death of this young man. I am aware the impact on your family has been substantial and I bear that in mind."

Sanderson was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.