THE family of a 25-year-old man who was tragically killed when a car broke in two against a wall said they were "more than happy" after the banned driver responsible was jailed for nine years.

Car mechanic Stephen Broomhead died of multiple injuries after the Audi A4 careered off the road at up to 80mph, causing an electricity pole to snap in two and blue flashes to light up the scene.

Stephen's grieving mum, Julie, 45, welcomed the sentence after Ethan Wharton was found guilty of causing his death by dangerous driving in the crash on Easter Sunday this year.

She said: "It was more than we expected - and we are very pleased. Losing Stephen was so hard for the family, particularly after his dad, James, died last year, and it has been a stressful nine months waiting for the trial. But we are pleased that at last it is over."

Wharton, 25, a traveller who was staying with his mother in The Groves, York, had been smoking strong cannabis throughout the day of March 27 before losing control of the Audi at about 10pm on the A166 at Gate Helmsley.

Residents rushed from their homes after hearing a "house-shaking" bang and being plunged into darkness as overhead power cables came down and blues flashes of electricity arched into the air.

Wharton's friend, Antonio Nesham, a rear seat passenger, was unconscious for several days after the crash and now suffers from brain damage and is losing his sight, while front seat passenger Jason Stewart suffered a broken rib, wrist and finger. Stephen, of Acomb, did not know Wharton or others in the car and his family cannot understand why he took a ride with them to Bridlington and back that day.

Mrs Broomhead described her son as a "popular, well-liked man who had many friends and had never been in trouble in his life".

She said: "It will be a hard Christmas for us because it is Stephen's birthday on Christmas Day."

Stephen's uncle, Paul Maddison, 44, added: "He was an only child, so my sister has lost everything - but we are supporting her as a family.

"We feel completely dispassionate towards Wharton - we can't have any feelings for him after what he has done.

"We are just glad the jury reached the right verdict and the judge passed a lengthy sentence so we feel we have justice."

Wharton had previous convictions which included interfering with cars, robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

In October 2003, he was jailed for three years for aggravated vehicle taking and taking a vehicle without consent after he stole two caravans with an accomplice called Anthony Grayson, who later crashed them.

Mr Grayson was later savagely beaten and died in hospital, but Wharton was found not guilty of his murder.

Judge Paul Hoffman, sentencing Wharton for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified yesterday, said: "You are a danger to anybody who uses the road in any way and this crime is one of the most serious in the criminal calendar.

"You need to be off the road for a very significant time and put away out of circulation."

Wharton was also banned from driving for ten years.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, December 17, 2005