A drink-driver who killed his best friend and then tried to blame him for the crash has been jailed for five years.

Paul White lost control of Richard Hope's powerful Toyota Celica on a bend and smashed into a telegraph pole.

Mr Hope was thrown from the wreckage and died at the scene moments later.

Paramedics found White hysterically repeating the word "sorry" as he desperately tried to resuscitate his friend.

Callous White tried to put the blame for the crash on his dead friend from the outset and claimed Mr Hope had been driving.

But a jury yesterday found him guilty of causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol by a majority of ten to one after a five-day trial at Hove Crown Court.

Judge Anthony Niblett told White: "This was a tragedy and a terrible waste of a young life.

"In the words of counsel you are a conscious and unrepentant liar."

Mr Hope died after he and White had been out drinking with friends in Horsham.

White, of Owlbeech Place, Horsham, also admitted smoking cannabis before the crash at 1.30am on September 3 last year.

The verdict was welcomed by Richard Hope's parents Dick and Margaret, who sat in the public gallery close to White's family throughout the trial.

Mr Hope said: "Losing a loving son and brother who was a decent, hardworking and caring young man has devastated our lives.

"Our wish for the future is that others be made more aware of the dangers associated with drinking and the use of recreational drugs before driving.

"The extended licensing laws will only place more temptation for people to risk driving while over the limit and create so much grief for others."

Tests showed that White was twice the legal drink drive limit and Mr Hope was three times over the limit.

White asked his friend if he could "have a go" at driving the black Toyota which Mr Hope had bought from his brother Stephen just two weeks before the crash.

White lost control on a bend on Rusper Road and hit the grass verge and a telegraph pole.

The impact launched the car into the air for nearly 40ft before it came crashing down onto its roof.

Mr Hope, who was wearing a seatbelt, was thrown into the back of the car and out of the rear window by the impact.

White, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was saved from serious injury by the steering wheel.

Forensic investigators found fused fibres caused by friction burns from Mr Hope's trousers on the front passenger seatbelt.

White's fingerprints were found on the driver's side and the seatbelt on that side was not fastened.

He admitted to police that he had been stopped several times for not wearing a seatbelt.

White was also banned from driving for five years in addition to being jailed.

Mr Hope's parents paid tribute to their son following the hearing.

His father said: "Richard loved to travel and was a qualified open water diver who was considering training to become an instructor.

"Richard was still living at home so we had 29 years with him which bring back many happy memories. They can never be taken from us as he has been.

"The last 13 months have been extremely distressing for everyone involved. With our faith we will try to close this chapter in our lives and move on with rebuilding the future.

"There are no winners here today. Everyone who knew Richard will be aware that we are all losers and his loss will be with us forever.

"We are indbeted to our family, friends and the people of St Mary's Church in Horsham for their unending love, prayers and support through this dark time.

"Without this constant support we would not have been able to contemplate a future of any description, never mind one in which we hope to find happiness again.

"We would also like to thank the emergency services and in particular the traffic police at Haywards Heath who gave us guidance and support when we needed it."