A driver who killed his friend while he drove his motorbike without any bike insurance and with a driving ban against his name has lost his appeal this week. Mihai Avramescu, (29), carried his friend Ryan England, (26) on the bike behind him at high speeds without a helmet.

The motorbike broke the speed limit and crashed into a lamp post in West Huntsbury when Avramescu attempted to overtake a car. The biker had two previous convictions for drunk-driving and admitted to drinking alcohol shortly before the crash but claimed that he was still under the legal limit when the accident took place.

Initially Avramescu ran away from the crash scene, but the next day he went to the police to give a statement and explain what had happened. Avramescu pleaded guilty to causing death by driving dangerously, failing to stop after an accident, driving without adequate insurance and driving while banned. He has been issued with a six year jail sentence.