A drunk driver from Ashtead has been jailed after killing another motorist in a head-on smash while nearly twice the legal alcohol limit.

Mercedes driver Gary Holmes, 44, of Ottways Lane, crashed into Keith Roberts’ Mazda sports car on the A24 in Leatherhead in the early hours on December 13, 2014.

Holmes was jailed for four years on Monday after being found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court of causing death by careless driving.

The court heard Holmes had met a friend for drinks in Leatherhead after a busy day working and the two men had a meal before going to a nightclub.

Later, Holmes decided to drive home despite the offer of a bed for the night.

Two miles from home he failed to make a turn on the A24 and crashed into Mr Roberts who was driving in the opposite direction.

Both drivers were taken to hospital but Mr Roberts, who was in his 50s, later died from his injuries.

Detective Sergeant Gary Wright, who was the investigating officer for Surrey Police, said: “Mr Roberts’ death was solely down to the bad choices Holmes made that evening.

“He also tried to claim he had not drunk that much which the judge dismissed as ‘patently absurd’.

“The judge described Holmes’ driving as ‘not far from dangerous’ and also rejected a claim by his defence that a previously undiagnosed sleep apnoea condition had been responsible for the collision.”

Holmes was also disqualified from driving for seven years.