The parents of a Deal gardener killed in a hit and run in London have said their son’s death was “avoidable” and are calling for harsher sentences.

Chris Jones, 23, formerly of Kingsdown Primary and Castle Community College, was directing traffic around his broken-down van in Notting Hill on August 6 last year, when he was struck down by a Bentley Continental.

The driver, George Claudiu Albu, 33, fled the scene but was arrested later that day. He was jailed for eight years at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

In a statement his parents Ruth and Dave Jones, of St Margaret’s, said: “The way Chris died was avoidable and eight years for taking a man’s life doesn’t seem fair.

“A longer sentence seems more appropriate as Chris was doing the right thing by trying to keep other road users safe.”

A national newspaper reported that Albu was seen racing, swerving and slamming on his breaks, as well as drinking at a tequila bar in the run up to the crash.

The same report said cocaine and benzolecgonine – a by-product of cocaine – were found in Albu’s blood above the legal limit, although alcohol had passed through his system.

Albu was in breach of a suspended six-week sentence for possession of cocaine and common assault at the time of the incident. He also admitted driving without a licence and insurance.

Mr and Mrs Jones said: “Although it could never bring Chris back, we believe that when someone blatantly breaks the law, then gets back behind the wheel of a car, drinks and drives at high speeds and takes a young man’s life, surely should warrant the higher charge of manslaughter as at that time of driving he again broke the law and knew what he was doing, making the car a weapon.”

A five-day court case was due to start on Monday but was moved forward to last Thursday after Albu changed his plea.

The family received a call on Wednesday night and travelled to be at the court, hearing the entire case in two hours.

Mr and Mrs Jones said: “Chris leaves behind devastated family and friends. He moved to London to be with his girlfriend Trudy while she trained to become a nurse.

“He got a position at Quadron Services as part of parks maintenance team. He was devoted to his five-year-old daughter and would visit her weekly back in Dover as well as taking her to London for weekend stays.

“We’re a close family and it’s a massive loss.

“We would like to thank the emergency services and the general public for helping Chris and the courts for sentencing as much as the law allowed.”