A DRIVER has been jailed after causing the death of a pensioner through dangerous driving.

David Lamb, 26, has been given to three years in prison for causing the death of John Richardson, 82, by dangerous driving.

The 26-year-old, from of Latchmore Drive, Dibden, admitted causing the death of John Richardson by dangerous driving at Southampton Crown Court.

The court heard how Lamb was driving his Honda Civic along the A35, from Lyndhurst towards Christchurch, when he attempted to overtake six cars, at around 7pm on September 16 last year.

The final car was a Honda Jazz driven by Mr Richardson's wife, Anne.

Lamb tried to pull in behind the Richardsons' car because of a Ford Galaxy coming towards him.

He was unable to slow down and hit the Honda Jazz, which was pushed into the Ford Galaxy and off the road.

Mr Richardson suffered life-threatening injuries and died from those injuries three months later, on December 15, at Southampton General Hospital.

Mrs Richardson suffered serious injuries and was treated at Southampton General Hospital.

Judge Peter Henry said this was a “horrific collision” and sentenced Lamb to three years in prison and disqualified him from driving for six years.