A DRINK-driver who admitted killing two of his friends by careless driving has been jailed for 32 months.Marlon Daley, of Holbrook Road, Ipswich, had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol following an accident on the A12.

A DRINK-driver who admitted killing two of his friends by careless driving has been jailed for 32 months.

Marlon Daley, of Holbrook Road, Ipswich, had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol following an accident on the A12.

Yesterday, at Ipswich Crown Court, he was sentenced to 32 months for each count to run concurrently, and banned from driving for three years.

The court heard how the 29-year-old was returning home after a night out with friends in Colchester on October 1 last year when the black Volkswagen Golf he was driving left the Ipswich-bound carriageway at Holton St Mary in the early hours of the morning.

Daniel Prescott, 22, of Dombey Road, Ipswich, and Dwayne Hasnip, 19, of Allenby Road, Ipswich, were passengers in the vehicle and both died after it careered off the road.

A fourth person in the car, Kieran Manners, escaped without any serious injuries from the single vehicle accident.

A police breath test at the scene of the accident found that Daley had 49 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35mg.

Judge John Devaux had already disqualified Daley from driving at an earlier hearing but deferred a decision on the length of the ban and other parts of the sentencing until yesterday.

Mr Devaux said: “The serious aspect of the case was that you consumed alcohol. It was not heavily over the limit and not one of the cases sometimes referred to as a motorised pub crawl. But you knew you would be driving home and it was not as if it was unexpected.

“The road was wet and slippery and it was clear you were driving in excess of the national speed limit on your own admission.”

Mitigating on behalf of Daley, defence counsel Neil Macauly said he showed clear remorse for his actions and had faced up to the responsibility straight away by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Hasnip left behind his father Mick, brother Vincent and sisters Tammi and Jade.

Shortly after his death, the family paid tribute saying: “He was a lovely young man who has worked hard since leaving school. He was well known and liked by everybody.”

Mr Prescott left his mother Stephanie, father Hollies and brother Nathan. The grieving family described him as “a beautiful son and brother” who had a zest for life and a love of football.

Their joint funerals were held at St Matthew's Church in Ipswich on October 21 last year.