A driver who pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on the M5 northbound between Junction 26 (Wellington) and 25 (Taunton) has been jailed.

Stephen Brown, 25, was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for seven years and three months at Taunton Crown Court.

In the early hours of December 21, 2018, Brown’s Audi reached speeds of about 128mph while travelling through roadworks on the M5 between junction 26 and 25, where a 50mph limit was in place.

He was witnessed moving at speed across the carriageway from lane three to lane one before colliding with a Mini Clubman being driven by Vincent Taylor, 59, from Dartmouth.

Mr Taylor died in hospital several hours later from injuries sustained in the collision.

An examination of Brown’s Audi at the scene revealed it to smell of alcohol and an open bottle of beer was found in the centre console. A roadside breath test resulted in a positive result for alcohol and a repeat test 70 minutes later revealed Brown, of Trinity Green, Gosport, Hampshire, to be more than two times over the legal alcohol limit.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Taylor’s partner Zoe Gale said: “The impact of losing Vini has been and continues to be incredibly traumatic for us all.

“When a loved one leaves the house, says goodbye but never returns it’s a hard situation to come to terms with.

“Teamed with the horrific way he was taken from us by a drunk driver speeding and that he died alone is incredibly hard to bear.”

Investigating officer Dai Nicholas said: “Vincent Taylor’s tragic death has had a devastating impact on his family and our thoughts remain with them at this time.

“Mr Brown showed a flagrant disregard for the rules of the road and an apparent disregard for the great danger being caused to others.

“I hope this case serves as a stark reminder about the consequences of drink-driving and driving in a dangerous manner.”