THE family of a pensioner killed by a drunk driver said it is "distressing" that he has been given less than ten years in jail.

Relatives of Gillian Casey, 75, said the eight and a half year sentence given to the speeding motorist had been "woefully inadequate".

They said the actions of Ryan Dowling, who got behind the wheel after drinking at least five pints of Stella, had been "inexcusable and utterly selfish".

The 29-year-old smashed into the back of another car killing Mrs Casey and her friend Anne Wales.

After the sentencing, the Casey family called for judges to have the power to give life sentences for causing death by dangerous driving.

In a statement, they said: "Gill was a wonderful person who dedicated her life to her family and to the countless children she taught in her job as a primary school teacher.

"In retirement, she worked tirelessly on behalf of others less fortunate than herself in various voluntary and fundraising roles.

"That such a gentle and loving person was taken from us by such senseless acts of utter recklessness is extremely difficult to take.

"It is distressing to think that Dowling received a sentence of only eight and a half years and is likely to be released on licence after having served only half of it.

"Such a sentence seems woefully inadequate for his inexcusable and utterly selfish conduct causing the deaths of two innocent women and seriously injuring a third.

"As a family, we welcome the proposals contained in the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill to give judges the power to impose life sentences for death by dangerous driving.

"We urge the government to enact these proposals without further delay."

The Argus: Ryan Dowling drank at least five pints of Stella Artois before the collisionRyan Dowling drank at least five pints of Stella Artois before the collision

Dowling was caught on CCTV drinking before the fatal crash on the A27 near Chichester in February last year.

A third passenger suffered serious injuries, while a fourth passenger and the driver both received minor injuries.

After the crash, a blood sample was taken from Dowling for analysis - it showed he had 97mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system. The legal limit is 80mg.

Dowling, of Emsworth, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court where he was given a jail sentence and banned from driving for six and a half years.

The Argus: Scene of the crash on the A27 near ChichesterScene of the crash on the A27 near Chichester

Mrs Wales family said the sentence would not "erase the devastating effect" of what had happened.

In a statement, they said: "Anne was a remarkably generous and loving person to her family and friends and those she encountered in the communities she had lived in.

"Through her long and devoted involvement with her churches and local, national and international charities, countless people she never would meet also benefited from her generosity of spirit.

"We take some measure of satisfaction that justice has been enacted, and we thank the police and prosecuting authorities for their professionalism and support throughout the process.

"However, this sentence cannot erase the devastating effect on our family of Mr Dowling's choice not to exercise any care or responsibility towards his fellow road users that night.

"This is compounded by the lack of an apology or explanation for his actions to us or the family of Gill Casey."