Drug and drink driver jailed for Xana Doyle death crash

Xana Doyle died following a crash in Newport

A man who crashed a car while high on cocaine has been jailed for eight years for causing a teenager's death.

Sakhawat Ali crashed on Usk Way, Newport, killing Xana Doyle, 19.

Ali, 23, from Newport, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving and aggravated vehicle taking at Cardiff Crown Court.

Shabaz Ali, 21, was jailed for seven years and three months for aggravated allowing to be carried involving a fatal accident.

Sakhawat Ali was disqualified from driving for six years and Shabaz Ali for five.

Judge Neil Bidder QC said both men shared the responsibility for causing Miss Doyle's death as they were on a "joint enterprise" to buy cocaine and cannabis while carrying her and another passenger, a 15-year-old girl.

He told the court Shabaz Ali took his mother's keys without her knowledge, while Sakhawat Ali drove the car.

He was twice the drink-drive limit for alcohol and had taken cocaine.

Sakhawat Ali (l) and Shabaz Ali were both responsible for Xana Doyle's death, the judge said

"There was no need for you to drive and you made a calculated decision to do so - you were showing off to the girls," the judge said.

Addressing Shabaz Ali, he added: "I have no doubt you encouraged him to drive."

The girls asked Sakhawat Ali to slow down, but the car left the ground at about 60mph and was seen in the air as if it had hit a stunt ramp.

Judge Bidder said: "Xana was only 19 with her life ahead of her. The effect of her death on her family is incalculable.

"You are not a man of good character... You showed virtually no remorse after the event."

It was only by good fortune he did not kill more than one person, he added.

The Toyota Avensis ended up on its roof in Usk Way following the crash in January

In a personal statement, Miss Doyle's mother Emma O'Donoghue said: "This nightmare is never going to end. This is my reality. I will never hear her laugh... Or see her beautiful smile ever again.

"I am not, and can never be, the same again. This pain is unbearable... Life seems so pointless."

She said her daughter was worth more than the sentences given.

"If they had shown remorse, if they had said 'sorry we didn't mean for this to happen' at the scene, then I would feel something for them, but no," she added.