A driver who killed his half brother in a crash just hours before he was to be sentenced for a dangerous driving offence had never taken a lesson nor passed a test, a court was told.

Jake Pedrick-Harvey was under the influence of drugs when his Vauxhall Corsa crashed into trees in Spitfire Way in Manston in April, killing Jimmy Powell.

Pedrick-Harvey, 22, of Kenton Gardens, Minster, admitted causing Mr Powell’s death by driving carelessly on the B2190 while under the influence of cannabis-based tetrahydrocannabinol and cocaine-based benzolecgonine.

He also admitted driving while uninsured and not having a licence. The morning after the death crash he was due to be sentenced for driving dangerously in Dane Road, Margate and for other driving offences.

Judge Heather Norton jailed Pedrick-Harvey for a total of five years and 10 months.

A statement from Sandy Powell, Jimmy Powell’s father, was read out in court in which he said that when he heard of his son’s death part of him also died.

“He was my only son and I will never see him again,” he said. “The compassion we felt for Jake at the time was heartfelt but as time went on that sympathy went as it became clear that Jake thought only of himself.

"A big part of me is missing and my life will never be the same again. We have not heard so much as a word of sorry from Jake" - Sandy Powell

“He refused to admit to driving the car. I never had an opportunity to say goodbye to Jim and Jake showed no remorse for his actions. My grief was turned to anger by his lack of compassion. I have nothing but contempt for him.

“A big part of me is missing and my life will never be the same again. We have not heard so much as a word of sorry from Jake.”

The mother of both men, in a statement, said she did not blame Jake as it was an accident. “I have lost Jim and can’t bear the thought of losing Jake as well,” she said.

Sentencing Pedrick-Harvey Judge Norton told him: “There will come a time when you will be released from prison and will be able to carry on with your life but no sentence can bring your half brother back.

“In January you got behind the wheel of a Peugeot in the middle of the day, in a residential area with parked cars and pedestrians. You should not have been driving.

“You were unlicenced, uninsured and had never even had a single driving lesson in your life. You drove at 80mph and collided with two cars, one of which was a taxi. No serious injuries resulted but that taxi driver was unable to work because of the damage to his car.

“You were due to attend court in April to be sentenced for this but the night before you got behind the wheel of a car and drove it at night on wet roads at a speed inappropriate for the conditions, overtook a car and then, unable to take a bend, you crashed with all the tragic consequences for you, your family and half brother.

“Your reaction was to deny responsibility. This was not just an accident as your mother says. It was an entirely avoidable waste of a life and it was your fault. You had been taking drugs and should not have been driving.”

In addition to the jail sentence Judge Norton banned Pedrick-Harvey from driving for seven years and he will have to take an extended driving test.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Claire Fullagar said: "When Pedrick-Harvey chose to get behind the wheel on that fateful evening, he did so knowing he was due to be sentenced the following day for separate driving offences.

"He wasn’t even qualified to drive, having never taken a test and also had levels of drugs in his body, which may have impaired his judgement.

"He now has to live with the devastating consequences of his actions, along with a significant prison sentence."