A DRUNKEN Polish carpenter who crashed into a parked car killing a teenage student walking by has been jailed for six years.

Lucasz Sonta was speeding in a Mercedes Sprinter van on his way to buy more alcohol when the tragedy occurred on Seabank Road, Wallasey.

Eluned Cleverley was walking along after an evening out when the van ploughed into a parked Ford Puma, shunting it 16 metres into her and one of her friends.

Jailing 24-year-old Sonta, Judge Henry Globe, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool said: "She was an intelligent, vivacious and talented 18-year-old with a bright future ahead of her.

"The purpose of driving that night was to go to the shops to buy more alcohol. Having made that foolhardy but deliberate decision you drove at excessive speed and that has had disastrous consequences," he said.

He banned Sonta, who has a previous conviction in Poland for driving with excess alcohol, from driving for seven years.

Sonta, of Trafalgar Road, Wallasey, had pleaded guilty to causing death by driving carelessly having consumed excess alcohol in the early hours of August 5. He also admitted driving without insurance.

The court heard that Eluned, from Barn Hey Crescent, Meols, died at the scene from multiple injuries and one of her friends, Tobias Eaton, suffered a broken left foot.

Victim: Eluned Cleverley

Sonta, who suffered facial injuries, was found to be almost two and a half times over the drink driving limit.

Ian Davies, prosecuting, said that at the time of impact the Mercedes van was travelling at 50mph and there were brake marks. When arrested Sonta declared: "I know I've had too much to drink."

Arthur Gibson, defending, said that the van, which he had driven before, belonged to a colleague of Sonta and he believed he was insured.

"He cannot believe he was responsible for this. The events of that night and the consequences will weigh heavily on him for the rest of his life but that does not compare with the weight of the loss of the young lady's family and friends.

"He bitterly regrets it and wishes to apologise," said Mr Gibson.

After the hearing, Linda Pierce, sister of Eluned's mum, Ann, said: "It is the pain of knowing all that potential and all her life's opportunities have been denied her which hurts the most."