A DRINK driver who caused the death of a Hampshire motorcyclist on the M4 has been jailed for six years.

Donna Hackett, 26, had been on a night out with her boyfriend on September 18 last year, was more than twice over the drink drive limit when she got behind the wheel of her Vauxhall Astra after the couple had an argument.

She drove to the motorway and after overtaking on the inside lane at more than 80mph, she ploughed in to the back of a Honda 125cc motorcycle riden by 28-year-old Wayne Moores, 28, from Chandler’s Ford.

Hackett, from Swindon, fled the scene, near Membury services, and called 999 to report the crash but did not give any indication she had been involved. She was found in a ditch nearby after the Thames Valley police helicopter flew in to assist the hunt.

Despite the efforts of paramedics and motorists who stopped to prevent him being hit by other vehicles, Wayne - a blacksmith who also worked part-time as a barman at The Hobbit pub in Bevois Valley, Southampton - died at the scene.

Appearing for sentencing at Swindon Crown Court yesterday, Hackett was jailed for six years and banned from driving for five years.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said the deceptive 999 telephone call made by Hackett was just one of several aggravating features.

“She gave no indication that she was part of that accident,” he said.

“From her tone of voice, there was no evidence of panic, distress or drunkenness - she is relatively calm.

“It is clear she made no effort to slow down or steer to the side as to prevent the collision.”

Defending, Mike Pulsford said his client was remorseful and that she accepted from the Moores’ perspective, no punishment would be harsh enough to reflect their loss.

“Two complete strangers lives have been changed,” he said.

“One has been ended needlessly and one has been completely changed. Miss Hackett was a lady with an unblemished driving record until that day, an ordinary member of the public who drank too much that evening.

“She is a realist, she knows her life has completely changed, her health has changed, she is on anti-depressants, she is a frightened young lady.

“All she can do is ask the court to be merciful, she is going to live with this for the rest of her life.

“The immediate future for her is very bleak, she is somebody who will find prison a real shock, she has been out of the criminal justice system all her life.”

Recorder Stephen Climie gave Hackett credit for a letter written to the Moores’ family expressing her regret and shame, but said nothing would ever replace or compensate for the loss of Wayne.

“When you ploughed in to the back of Wayne’s vehicle, there was probably little likelihood of any outcome other than the one that resulted - namely his death,” he said.

“You have, by virtue of that behaviour, deprived that young man of a life ahead of him and inevitably, his family and friends of the enjoyment that would have been associated with that life.”