Drunk driver jailed for killing two Brits

A DRUNK driver was jailed for at least eight years yesterday after he ploughed into two Britons working in America.

Dominic Hartley, from Gloucestershire, and Emily Lewis, from Aberdeen, both 21, were killed in Warrensburg, New York, when the Ford Escape vehicle driven by Peter Goldblatt hit them. The 40-year-old had been drinking all evening when he struck the pair late on 24 June last year.

The parents and sister of Mr Hartley listened to the sentencing at Warren County Court in Lake George, New York, via the internet from England.

Judge John Hall Jr told Goldblatt he could serve up to 25 years in prison for the most serious charge he faced.

Goldblatt would come up for parole after eight years and four months but as he killed two people, it is unlikely he would be freed. Parole hearings would be held every 18 months after that.

The court was told Goldblatt was "sorry" that it happened.

Mr Hartley, from Bredon near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ms Lewis, from Aberdeen, was taken to hospital but later died.