A DRINK driver who killed a pony and trap rider called his brother for help a minute after colliding with it.

Oliver Wareham, having consumed six-and-a-half pints of lager, two shots of Jägermeister and a Jack Daniels, collided with William Gaskin in Portsmouth Road, Bursledon.

The fatal crash came less than two weeks after Wareham was in court for hitting a number of road traffic signs on the same road.

Mr Gaskin, 33, was killed by Wareham, 29, after his VW Bora Index crashed into him at 11.30pm on March 26, 2017.

The pony was put down.

Southampton Crown Court heard that seconds after the crash Wareham, who worked for road haulage firm CCW Services in Botley, phoned for his brother to come and pick him up instead of calling the emergency services.

As Wareham left the scene police were unable to carry out a breath test. However, after viewing CCTV from The Cricketers pub in Portsmouth Road, where he had been drinking, they could make an approximate reading.

Police estimated Wareham had 95mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, the limit is 80.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson said that Mr Gaskin, who was known to Wareham, was wearing dark clothes without reflective gear at the time of the crash.

Prior to the accident, Wareham, was driving at approximately 69mph in a 40mph zone.

Mr Lawson added: “Wareham tried to apply the brakes but could not stop in time and he ploughed into the vehicle with the horse and trap thrown over his car.”

Wareham, of Rownhams Road, Southampton was sentenced to four years and four months in prison and disqualified from driving for five years.