Bournemouth: Speeding drink-driver jailed for killing teenager

Billy Lardner was "the most handsome, beautiful young man", his father told the court

A speeding drink-driver who killed a teenage pedestrian in front of the victim's brother has been jailed for 11 years.

Tyrone Franklin, 25, drank three pints and two double whiskeys before hitting Billy Lardner, 16, at more than 80mph (130km/h) in a 40mph zone, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

The victim died at the scene on Parley Lane in Hurn, Dorset, on 30 June 2023.

Franklin, from Poole, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop and driving the Honda car without insurance.

Tyrone Franklin had "wrought devastation" on Billy's family and friends, the judge said

Russell Pyne, prosecuting, said the defendant fled the scene on foot and was arrested the following day at a friend's house.

He said Franklin denied being drunk, telling police he had consumed a large amount of alcohol and cocaine after the incident.

In a victim impact statement read by Mr Pyne, Billy's brother recalled how he was driving to pick the teenager up from his work at Bournemouth Airport at about 21:30 BST.

Drew Lardner, from Bournemouth, said: "Billy saw me in my car and gave me a big smile. He looked both ways and started to cross the road.

"There was a car coming at absolutely insane speed. Billy started sprinting but it was too late."

The teenager was hit while crossing a road junction near Bournemouth Airport

The victim's father, Andrew Lardner, told the court a legacy fund, opened in Billy's name, had raised tens of thousands of pounds for opportunities for under-privileged children.

He also said 400 people had attended the funeral for the "most handsome, beautiful young man".

Judge Susan Evans KC told Franklin: "The devastation you have wrought on the family and Billy's friends is beyond words.

"It is all the more shocking that in a cruel twist, Drew Lardner, who was 19, witnessed that collision. He will never get over what he witnessed in those moments."

The judge said Franklin, a father of one, would serve half of his jail sentence in custody and would be banned from driving for 10 years on his release.