Two high-flying businessmen who killed a dad after causing a catastrophic five-car pile-up by speeding above 120mph have been jailed.

Four brave men tried to save 58-year-old Jim Molloy by pulling him from the wreckage of his burning car on the M2.

But their attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful and the special needs specialist, from Broadstairs, died.

The tragedy happened in July last year between junctions 3 and 4 in Medway.

Yesterday, 55-year-old retired businessman David Steele and company director Edward Parker, 51, were handed a total of 11 years behind bars for causing his death by dangerous driving.

Lewes Crown Court heard Mr Molloy was driving coast-bound along the M2 when a car driven by Parker ploughed into the back of him.

It caused Mr Molloy to lose control and triggered a chain of events that left in five vehicles smashing into each other.

In the chaos, Mr Molloy's car hit a lorry before hitting the central reservation barrier and catching fire.

Steele, of Dane Close, Hartlip, pleaded guilty and was jailed for four years, disqualified from driving for six years and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

Parker, of Sportsman's Cottages, Kings Hill, was found guilty and handed seven years, disqualified from driving for seven years and ordered to pay £3,500 in costs.

Witnesses told the court their high powered cars appeared to be travelling between 120 and 140 miles per hour and close to each other before the crash.

Serious Collision Investigation Unit Constable, Ian Malcolm, said: "We are satisfied with the sentences but the outcome will never bring back Mr Molloy.

"What should have been a day like any other for the Molloy family was changed forever by the selfish actions of two men.

"A normal working day ended in tragedy as a result of the complete disregard by Steele and Parker for the law and other road users and, indeed, their own safety.

"These men will be free at the end of their sentences but Mr Molloy's loved ones will never fully recover from losing a husband, father and grandfather.

"A section of the M2 was closed for eight hours while emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the multi-vehicle collision.

"This was necessary in order to conduct a thorough forensic examination of what was a crime scene and assess and recover evidence to convict the offenders.

"Kent Police will continue to ensure that such drivers are brought before the courts as part of our efforts to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

"In the meantime, I urge all motorists to have respect for the road, the vehicle they drive and other drivers and think of the many and tragic consequences of irresponsible behaviour."

Mr Molloy's family said in a statement today: "Jim was a truly wonderful man full of love and compassion, who was the head of our very close family.

"He made us all feel very loved and secure. Our family life before his death was filled with laughter, jokes and fun times, but now it is hard not to focus on the way he died and that when we are together he is always missing.

"We grieve for him and for the life we all once had.

"Jim worked with adults with learning disabilities and challenging needs and was dedicated to helping them fulfil their potential. We are so proud of the many tributes that have been paid to him following his death.

"So many people have said that he changed their lives for the better, and what greater legacy can anyone hope to leave than the knowledge that their time in the world helped improve the lives of others.

"As a family we wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the brave men who risked their own lives to pull Jim from his burning car.

"Jim was still alive at that point and we are grateful to the paramedics who did all they could to try to save him.

"The damage that has been done to our family can never be undone, but it would have been so much worse, but for the actions of these good people.

"Today legal justice has been achieved. However until both men find the courage and integrity needed to accept responsibility for what they have done and show remorse, moral justice will be denied to Jim and us.

"The manner of Jim's traumatic and violent death was so in contrast to the way he lived his life.

"He respected and valued life, not just his own but those of others.

"Having to attend a trial and hear all the evidence of so many witnesses has been harrowing and so painful.

"We have spent the last 17 months having to deal with the justice system, when we should have been able to concentrate our emotions on grieving our loss.

"Jim was a truly wonderful husband, dad and grandpa whom we loved so much. Our hearts are truly broken."

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