A drunk driver who killed two people and left a little girl disabled for life after ploughing into them as they walked home from a night out has failed in an appeal against his 10-year prison sentence.

Stefan Stanko, 25, previously of West Street, Gravesend, was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court in January after admitting two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving with excess alcohol.

He was still almost two times the drink-drive limit two hours after mounting a pavement and crashing into the five-strong group as they walked home from the International Sports and Social Club in Beaver Road, Ashford.

Denise Head, 49, and Brian Moon, 67, were killed, while Phyllis Wanstall and Julie Scorah were hurt and 12-year-old Rosie Brown severely brain damaged in the incident in September of last year.

Today, the Slovakian national appealed against his sentence, but had his case rejected by top judges, Lord Justice Maurice Kay, Mr Justice Cranston and Mr Justice Sweeney.

“We have no doubt that the sentence of ten years in this case was neither wrong in principle, nor manifestly excessive,” said Mr Justice Cranston.

Stanko’s appeal was dismissed.