A show-off driver who was drunk when he caused a passenger friend's death has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years detention.

Grant Simey (18), who had also smoked a cannabis joint, was described by the judge as: "A menace behind the wheel of a car and a danger to other road users."

He had only passed his driving test six weeks before losing control of his Citroen Saxo on a bend, and crashing into a metal road sign.

His friend, Christopher Ellis (17), of Manton, Rutland, who was in the front seat, died from multiple injuries at the scene, on the A6003 Uppingham Road, Caldecott, in Rutland.

His grieving father, Michael Ellis, said yesterday: "Chris died at the hands of an arrogant and reckless teenager who had a history of bad driving and no regard for any of his passengers.

"It's destroyed the lives of our family. We'll live in agony for the rest of our lives.

"We were so proud of him and he was a brilliant student.

"We dread Christmas, birthdays and other special occasions as we know there'll be a big empty space at our table, and the tears flow again.

"Chris was his mother's best friend and a great son and brother. He had many friends and was loved for his honesty, ability and fair play.''

Christopher was a sixth-former at Rutland College and a former Uppingham Community College pupil.

Leicester Crown Court heard the fatal crash happened after Simey had been drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis at an 18th birthday party in Oakham, before agreeing to drive friends to get food in Corby in the early hours of October 14 last year.

Simey, of Kiburn End, Oakham, who was also banned from driving for five years, pleaded guilty to causing death by driving carelessly when over the prescribed alcohol limit.

At an earlier hearing, Matthew Lowe, prosecuting, said: "Despite the limited time he'd been driving he'd already built up a reputation among his friends as someone who would drive too fast and recklessly. He was a dangerous show-off."

He left the party at between 2am and 3am with three passengers in the Saxo.

The defendant suffered a broken leg and two rear-seat passengers were also hurt but survived.

The accident happened at about 4.15am but a blood sample was not taken from Simey until six hours later, although calculations showed Simey would have been over the limit at the time of the crash.

He was estimated to have had 138mgs of alcohol in 100mls of blood . The legal limit is 80mgs.

Jennifer Hart, defending, said: "He lost control after misjudging his position in the road and then over correcting.

"The loss of his friend had a huge impact on his life and he's remorseful and he's carrying a massive burden of guilt.

"He was anti-drugs and had no memory of what he had drunk or of smoking a cannabis cigarette.''

Judge Michael Pert QC said: "It would be impossible to pass a sentence that would seek to balance the loss that the family and friends of Christopher Ellis have suffered."

Investigating officer Det Sgt Ivan Stafford said: "He was drunk and drugged, which is a lethal combination."