A motorcyclist who was over the drink-drive limit when he crashed and his best friend was killed has been cleared of causing death by careless driving.

Ross Humphreys was convicted of driving with excess alcohol and fined £1,000 with £500 costs. He was banned from driving for three years.

The judge asked for a moving statement from the father of victim Arran Nadal, in which he pleaded for 30-year-old Humphreys to be spared a jail sentence, to be read out.

"As Christians, we beg from the bottom of our hearts not to give him a prison sentence, but to pardon Ross and allow him home to his family," said retired fireman John Nadal.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Humphreys, of Bazes Shaw, New Ash Green, was calculated to have been almost twice the legal drink-drive limit when he lost control of his Honda 600cc bike and smashed into trees.

Mr Nadal, unlike Humphreys, was not wearing a helmet and died from head injuries.

For the full story see this Thursday's Dartford Messenger