A SPEEDING driver who left his best pal dying in a wrecked car has been jailed for three years.

As he was led to the cells, John Blair, 24, turned to the family of victim Christopher McStravick and repeated: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

An earlier trial heard Blair lost control after overtaking then slamming on the brakes as he drove a car his dad had just bought at speeds of up to almost 70mph.

The vehicle crossed on to the wrong side of the road in Holytown, Lanarkshire, and into the path of a car travelling in the opposite direction.

Mr McStravick, 21, died in hospital from his injuries. The court also heard 16 months before he died, Mr McStravick, of Main Street, Chapelhall, was involved in a road accident which killed his friend Paul McGhee, 19.

The driver and two men in the other car involved in the latest crash were hurt. All recovered.

Meanwhile, Blair suffering from a broken collar bone and cuts to his head phoned his dad and was driven to his mum's house.

A jury found Blair, of Sherdale Avenue, Chapelhall, Airdrie, guilty of causing the death of Mr McStravick by driving at excessive speed and hitting an oncoming car on April 30, 2005.

He was also found guilty of having no insurance, failing to stay at the accident scene and for not reporting the accident.

During his trial, Blair broke down in tears as he told how he had taken the Honda Civic for a run. Just before the accident "everything faded into a blur".

Advocate Graham Robertson, defending, said Blair had not driven since the accident and had sought help for the psychological problems he suffered in the aftermath.

Mr Robertson continued: "Nothing can in any way at all make up for the tragedy that took place."

Jailing Blair, judge Lady Clark said the prison term was to reflect the gravity of the dangerous driving.

Blair was also banned from driving for 10 years.