A 24-year-old driver who killed a relative in a horror smash and injured three women passengers has been jailed for three years.

Akhtar Khan ignored desperate pleas from one of the women to slow down just before the Vauxhall Cavalier's owner Mohammed Raja Zaman, 22, suffered fatal head and chest injuries in the smash and died in hospital eight days later.

The three women in the rear were also injured and Khan, of Buxton Street, Heaton, ended up in hospital with a broken neck and leg. A jury heard in June how Khan got behind the wheel of Mr Zaman's car and accelerated away at speed after two other passengers had been dropped off.

During a four-day trial Khan admitted having his "foot to the floor" shortly before the accident. Although he denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, he was convicted by the jury.

Barrister Nicholas Askins, for Khan, handed in various letters of support which confirmed his client's previous good character. "He was severely injured and perhaps fortunate to escape with his life," said Mr Askins.

"In addition to the physical injuries your honour will have read the accident had to an extent an impact on his mental health. He suffers from depression, insomnia and nightmares."

Bradford Crown Court heart that Khan had been working in a restaurant and the loss of his employment had affected his family, including his parents who both suffer ill health.

Jailing Khan yesterday, Judge Shaun Spencer QC said it was clear to him and the jury that at the time of the accident in November 2000 he had been "jockeying for position" with another vehicle.

"It is obviously a very serious matter and it is aggravated by the ingredients of racing and disregarding the expressions of alarm from your passenger."

Khan was also disqualified from driving for five years and he will not be allowed to drive lawfully until he has passed an extended driving test.