A 'SELFISH' driver killed a 'wonderful' husband and father after he made a 'wicked' decision to get behind the wheel of a car when more than three times over the limit.

Mark Taylor, of Railway Street in Crewe, drank two bottles of wine at home before driving to a pub where he drank three pints and a double Southern Comfort.

Despite the efforts of staff and a member of the public to stop him, he then drove off in his red Honda Accord with the headlights off.

Just minutes later, the 39-year-old swerved on to the opposite side of the road where he collided head on with a Nissan Pixo being driven by 59-year-old David Teiman.

Mr Teiman, a father-of-two from Oakmere, was killed and his 18-year-old daughter was left with multiple serious injuries.

Judge Patrick Thompson jailed Taylor for an extended 12 years – of which three will be spent on license for causing his death by dangerous driving on February 24.

Taylor had been disqualified from driving twice in the last 10 years for being drunk behind the wheel.

Matthew Dunford, prosecuting at Chester Crown Court, said Taylor had been so visibly drunk in the White Horse pub in Nantwich, a member of staff and a customer tried in vain to stop him driving away.

“John Ball, who had been in the pub with his wife, suffered minor injuries when he bravely stood in front of Taylor’s car,” Mr Dunford added.

Northwich Guardian: Mark Taylor was jailed at Chester Crown Court - Photo: Cheshire Police Mark Taylor was jailed at Chester Crown Court - Photo: Cheshire Police

In a harrowing and heart-breaking statement, Mr Teiman’s wife Heather said the couple had “lived for each other” since they met in 1991.

“He was a great father to our two girls,” she said.

“The thought of never seeing him again destroys me.”

The couple had been due to go on holiday the day after the crash and had just been out for a family meal. Mrs Teiman had been travelling behind her husband driving the family car because her he had given his daughter a driving lesson on the way to the restaurant.

Providing her own statement to the court, his daughter, who suffered fractures to many bones in her body, including ribs and vertebrae, said he had been her 'hero'.

“He was and always will be my hero and I will miss him forever,” she said.

“The actions of one man has destroyed our lives.”

Judge Thompson said: “You took a serious, arrogant, selfish and wicked decision that would end in tragedy.

“David Teiman was a wonderful man, a much-loved father, husband and friend.

“I hope you were listening to the personal statements made by his wife and daughters.

“You will have to live with the fact that you caused his death.

“It is obvious you were drunk but you got behind the wheel of your car anyway.

“The consequences of that were disastrous.”

The judge expressed his sincere condolences to the family and also ordered a crown court commendation be given to John Ball, for his efforts in trying to stop Taylor driving off.