Four youths involved in a fatal crash in a stolen car – including the brother of the teenager who died – have been locked up.

David Freeland, 19, suffered fatal head injuries when the Peugeot 206 in which he was a passenger went out of control on a bend in Greengate Lane, Birstall, in the early hours of May 11.

Police had abandoned pursuit of the speeding vehicle a few minutes before it careered through a hedge into a field.

David died at the scene – but Leicester Crown Court heard yesterday how a police officer saved the life of his brother, James, also a passenger in the Peugeot.

James Freeland, 18, was found hanging out of the car with no pulse and was resuscitated by Sergeant Adrian Grant.

Yesterday James was sentenced to four and a half years' detention.

The driver of the Peugeot, Patrick McMonigle, 18, who was drunk and high on cannabis and amphetamines, was sentenced to five years' detention and banned from driving for three.

Two other passengers were also in the car. One, Lawrence Watt, 20, was detained for four years.

The other, Derry Croshaw, 19, was given a two-and-a-half year sentence, to run consecutively with a licence period he has been recalled to serve from an earlier sentence.

David's mother, Charlotte, of Northampton, described her "enormous shock" on learning of his death.

She said: "My day-to-day life will never be the same again and I can't look forward to anything.

"Not a day goes by when I don't think about David. The pain is an internal wrench."

The court heard that hours earlier James Freeland and Watt broke into a house in Northampton while the occupants were asleep.

They stole the keys to the Peugeot – a driving instructor's car with dual controls – and drove off. Watt initially drove but McMonigle later took the wheel.

Michael Auty, prosecuting, said Sgt Grant was in a patrol car when he saw the Peugeot speeding towards Red Hill roundabout, Birstall, at about 80-100mph but then slow to about 65mph in a national speed limit area.

Mr Auty said: "He was going to leave the vehicle alone but the driver decided to go onto the opposite carriageway on the wrong side of a bollard and through a red light, intending to get away from the police car."

Leicestershire police policy says road traffic officers are supposed to take over high-speed pursuits, but there were none available. Sgt Grant was told not to carry out a vigorous pursuit and he dropped back.

When the Peugeot went on to Greengate Lane, going uphill, the officer knew there was "no hope" of it negotiating a severe bend over a bridge ahead.

Sgt Grant revived James Freeland and other officers found the body of his brother David, who had been released from custody three days earlier.

The three others ran off, but were arrested hours later at a taxi rank attempting to get a lift without sufficient money.

McMonigle, of Pitstone Road; Freeland, of Lower Hester Street; Derry Croshaw, of Floribunda Drive; and Lawrence Watt, of Gladstone Road; all Northampton; admitted aggravated vehicle taking – with McMonigle admitting he was the driver. Freeland and Watt admitted jointly burgling the house.

Judge Michael Fowler said: "There's nothing the court can do to alleviate the pain of his mother and family."

Simon Ash, for McMonigle, said his client's remorse was sincere.

David Watts, for Freeland, said he had cracked ribs, a torn back and severe concussion. When told of the death of his brother, he had wanted to kill himself.

Jonathan Bertram, for Watt, said his client was placed on suicide watch after his arrest.

Felicity Gerry, for Croshaw, said his client made the mistake of accepting the offer of a lift in a car he suspected had been stolen.