THE heartbroken sister and fiance of a York man who was killed in a car crash say the seven-year jail sentence handed to the driver in the horrific smash is "nothing" compared to their pain.

Handyman Steve Dowson, 23, died last July after a car driven by Daniel David Baker, then 21, smashed into a tree in Boroughbridge Road, Acomb.

The crash left passengers James Martin a quadriplegic, and Glen Carter in a coma with severe head and brain injuries. Portia Jewitt, Baker's sister, was also injured.

Last week Baker, now 23, was jailed for seven years at York Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance.

"What is a seven-year jail sentence compared to the life sentence we're living with?" said Kerry, 25, Steve's partner of six years.

"Nothing will be long enough. He might think his life's ruined, but I'd like him to try living my life at the moment."

Kerry has felt unable to live in the house she shared with Steve in Bootham Square, since the crash. She is currently waiting to be rehoused.

Steve and his half-sister, Loretta Dowson, 21, only met seven years before his death.

Loretta said they had become inseparable in the short time they had together, and the tragedy had left the family's lives in tatters.

She said: "We're just trying to put our lives back together. The prison sentence is a start, but it's just not long enough - we've got to live with this forever.

"It's comforting that at least he's behind bars and not driving around any more.

"We've got to try and put it all behind us now and move on."

Loretta and Kerry, who knew Baker before the fatal crash, said Steve had been wearing a seatbelt.

Loretta said: "He (Baker) tried to lie about everything to the police. He lied about the speed he was doing and the route he was taking for a start.

"We were friends before but that has all been spoiled now." She said she did not feel that he had even shown any remorse.

Loretta's baby daughter Grace, who was born shortly after the crash, has Stevie as her middle name, in Steve's memory.

Updated: 10:33 Tuesday, June 22, 2004