A MAN who killed his 26-year-old friend by speeding near North Leigh was jailed for a year yesterday.

Jacob Harper, 23, lost control of his Vauxhall Astra, which crashed on the A4095 between Witney and Long Hanborough on November 2 last year.

He admitted causing death by careless driving when he appeared at Banbury Magistrates’ Court last month.

Former Bartholomew School pupil Richard Reed, who was in the front passenger seat, died at the scene of the crash.

More than 200 mourners attended the Kidlington Mercedes Benz worker’s funeral at Oxford Crematorium on November 19 last year.

Speaking to the court, the victim’s father, John Reed, said his son’s death was “totally heartbreaking” and his family, including wife Angela and son Martyn, were “devastated”.

He added: “The second of November 2014 was the worst day ever. We have lost out wonderful son and Martyn has lost his only brother.

“He was only 26, with his whole life in front of him. That was snatched from him.

“We find it too difficult to go into Richard’s room any more now as the heartbreak and memories come flooding back to us. Tears are never far from the surface. We will never ever forget Richard.”

Prosecutor Rachel Drake told Oxford Crown Court Harper was driving along the A4095 near the North Leigh Football Club when he lost control of his car at about 5.40pm. It mounted the nearside footpath, travelling for more than 40 metres before crossing the carriageway and colliding with a tree.

The prosecutor said a collision investigator noticed skid marks on the carriageway tyre marks on the kerb and said Harper’s car was travelling between 44 and 49mph in a 40mph zone.

Ms Drake said Mr Reed died shortly after 6pm, while Harper lost consciousness at the scene and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, where he received a blood transfusion and was in an induced coma for six weeks.

The prosecutor said the defendant told officers he left the Three Horseshoes pub, in Long Hanborough, at about 3.30pm after having two pints of lager and said he had also taken cocaine. But Ms Drake said officers could not confirm if Harper had been drinking or taken drugs as medical treatment after the crash prevented samples being taken for analysis.

She said Harper, who had no previous convictions, also told officers he was not wearing glasses needed when driving but has “no recollection” of the incident to date.

Defence barrister Trudi Yateman said Harper never wants to drive again.

She added: “It’s difficult to comprehend a day when Mr Harper might wake up and the first thing in his mind is not the loss of Richard.”

Judge Patrick Eccles said Harper, of Akeman Street, Combe, had “put an arrow” through John Reed’s heart.

He added: “You had plenty of opportunities to gain control once you mounted the pavement but you failed to do that. You bear the memory of having caused the death of a close friend.”

Harper was also handed an 18-month driving ban, ordered to carry out an extended test if he chooses to drive again and was told to pay a victim surcharge.