A dangerous driver who caused a crash which killed two people and left two others with life changing injuries has been jailed.

Detectives were able to prove Kane Faulkner-Wild was driving a BMW which officers had found crashed into a tree while on patrol near Loughton in August 2019.

Front seat passenger Sophia Khan, 16, and 21-year-old Max Halcrow were both fatally injured.

Upon impact, a 16-year-old girl sitting in the rear, was thrown from the car.

The passenger sitting behind the driver’s seat – a 17-year-old girl - was trapped.

Both were taken to a London hospital after sustaining life changing injuries.

Faulkner-Wild denied driving the vehicle after a night out drinking.

But the 23-year-old, of St Johns Road, Epping, was charged with a number of offences.

He denied all charges but was found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a trial last month.

During his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, the jury heard how investigating officers calculated the car was travelling far in excess of the 40-mph speed limit when it crashed in Goldings Hill.

Faulkner-Wild’s blood alcohol level showed he was above the drink driving limit.

During a sentencing hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on January 18, he was given an eight-and-a-half-year jail sentence.

Speaking after sentencing today, Detective Sergeant Nason, said: "Faulkner-Wild’s actions killed two people and left two other passengers with life-changing injuries.

"His actions also changed the lives of each of his victims’ families in ways he cannot imagine.

"Today, he has been given a substantial sentence and he will spend a considerable time behind bars.

"I can only hope that, although today’s sentence will not bring back Sophia and Max, it provides some comfort for their families and for his victims."

He added: "This investigation has been incredibly thorough, and I would also like put on record my thanks to everyone who has played a part for their dedication and professionalism.

"From the moment we were called to this incident, our single focus has been on achieving justice for the victims and their families."