A man who killed two people and left a 12-year-old girl in a coma has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment today at Maidstone Crown Court (Friday 22 January 2010). He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.

Stefan Stanko, 24, previously of West Street, Gravesend, was over the drink-drive limit when he ploughed into a group of friends who were walking home together after a night out in Ashford last year.

Stanko pleaded guilty

Stanko pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, excess breath alcohol and failing to stop and report an accident.

Upon sentencing His Honour Judge Gold said: 'As the group left the social club, they can't have imagined the tragedy that awaited them. You by your actions caused carnage. There can be no dispute that this is a tragic case.

'There's nothing I can say and no sentence I can impose that can provide sufficient comfort to the many people whose lives have been so tragically impacted by your actions.  You showed a flagrant disregard for the safety of pedestrians and other road users by driving your car in a state of intoxication.'

Senior Investigating Officer Sergeant Glyn Walker from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) said: 'The lives of five families changed forever on that tragic night in September.

'A vibrant and energetic 12-year-old girl is now in a coma and neither her, or her family's lives will ever be the same.

'Two other families have lost loved ones due to the actions of a man who having spent the evening drinking alcohol, chose to drive his car.

Drink-driving devastates lives

'The sentence given reinforces our message. Drink-driving devastates lives and Kent Police and the Crown Prosecution Service will strive to bring before the courts all those who ignore the law.

'It is unacceptable that we are still arresting people for drink or drug driving. The horrific consequences of this have been illustrated in this case. It's just not worth the risk.'

The court heard how on 27 September 2009 Stanko, a Slovakian national, travelled from London with his brother-in-law and spent the afternoon and evening with friends having a BBQ at Christchurch Road, in Ashford.

He admitted drinking whiskey and cokes and cherry brandy throughout the day.

At the end of the night, he asked brother-in-law Martin Petro, 29, to leave with him. Mr Petro refused because he thought Stanko was "too drunk".

Another friend hid Stanko's car keys. Stanko spent the evening searching for them and when he found them, shortly after midnight, he drove off in his silver Nissan Primera.

Group were walking home from a night out

Julie Scorah, and her niece Rosie Brown, 12, were walking home with friends Denise Head, Brian Moon, Phyllis Wanstall, and Keith Wilson following a night out at the International Sports and Social Club in Beaver Road, Ashford.

They were walking in the direction of the Beaver Inn.

CCTV footage shows a car travelling around a right-hand bend from Brookfield Road, before mounting the pavement by Marinos Fish and Chip Shop a split second before Stanko hit the group.

A witness who saw the car said it stopped briefly at a red traffic light before driving off.

Denise Head, 49, died at the scene.

Brian Moon, 67, was taken to William Harvey Hospital but later died from his injuries.

Rosie Brown, 12, was taken to St George's Hospital, London. She is now in a rehabilitation unit where she remains in a coma with brain damage, although she is now breathing unaided.

Her aunt Julie Scorah, 24, remembers Mr Wilson shouting "Watch out, car!".

She looked up and saw a silver car coming towards them on the pavement. The next thing she recalls is lying in a front garden seeing blue flashing lights.

Phyllis Wanstall, 63, who was Mr Moon's partner, suffered serious injuries in the incident.

Mr Wilson suffered minor injuries as he tried to avoid the car.

Police officers found Stanko and his badly damaged car in nearby Christchurch Road, Ashford, about 15 minutes after the collision.

Stanko initially claimed the car had been stolen earlier that night after he left the keys in the ignition when he went into an off-licence.

In interview with officers, he later admitted driving the car, although he said he had no recollection of the accident, but admitted 'It must have been me.'

Stanko claimed he remembered sitting in the car with the airbags deployed and smelling sulphur. Stanko then went to the house in Christchurch Road where he had been that evening and spoke to Mr Petro, before being arrested.

Kate Rushbrook, Senior District Crown Prosecutor for the East Kent District said: 'This is an appalling crime, which cost the lives of two adults and caused the life changing injuries to a 12-year-old girl and further injuries to two adults.

'Stefan Stanko was drunk and failed to stop and he must live with the consequences of his actions.

'His guilty plea follows an effective and thorough police investigation and the CPS and police worked closely together from the early stages of this case. It clearly demonstrates the benefit of close co-operation and the strength of the case against him.'

In a joint statement the families of the victims said: 'Our lives have been turned upside down by the actions of Stefan Stanko on the night of Sunday, September 27.

'No sentence, however many years, will ever give us back what we have lost.

'It is difficult to understand when someone chooses to drive a car under the influence of alcohol especially when there are so many warnings against drink-driving.

'We would like to thank all the emergency services that not only dealt with the immediate incident, but have also been supportive throughout the process and ensuing months.'

Posted on: 29 January 2010