The family of an 18-year-old killed in a crash has spoken of the heartache caused by someone that was "supposed to be her friend".

Ellie Lambert, of Kirby Rise, Barham appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing on Monday after admitting causing the death of Bethany McCauley by dangerous driving.

The 20-year-old was jailed for 40 months after she was found more than twice over the legal limit when her car crashed into a garage in Thornhill Road in Barham, near Claydon, on April 29 last year.

Miss McCauley, from Pinewood in Ipswich, who was a passenger in the car, died at the scene.

Ipswich Crown Court heard on Monday of the trauma caused to the relatives of Miss McCauley. 

Her mother Dawn McCauley told the court: “I’ve lost my daughter to the actions of someone supposed to be her friend who I thought would look after her.

“This has caused me absolute heartache and emotional turmoil.

“I’m now having to receive counselling in order to rebuild my life and my resilience."

She added that she did not feel hatred towards the defendant, only disappointment and sadness.

“The days leading up to identifying her body were horrendous,” she continued.

“I saw my husband’s skin as white as though he himself had died.”

She added that each morning she kisses her daughter’s box of ashes, adding: “No matter what good the future brings nothing will be as good as it should have been because Bethany should be with me to enjoy them.”

The court previously heard, there was no suggestion that Lambert was using her mobile phone at the time of the crash which occurred when she failed to safely negotiate a left-hand bend in the road.

Lambert had 185 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood - the legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

The prosecutor added that she had initially told police she was not the driver and that her passenger was.

In mitigation the court heard the defendant admitted the offence and had “shown genuine remorse”.

“These two girls were like sisters”, the defence told the court and emphasised her age and lack of maturity and her turbulent childhood.

It was heard Ms Lambert has experienced intrusive thoughts of suicide and experience hallucinations of her friend walking around her house, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

“She wishes the family to know that she loved Beth and she is desperately sorry that she has been responsible for their loss”, the defence added. 

Following the sentencing, Judge Martyn Levett emphasised the danger and seriousness of drink driving and said the offence had caused “a devastating loss”.