A Christchurch teenager who killed an innocent motorist as he fled police will spend Christmas behind bars.
Eighteen-year-old Jayden Brakewell cried as he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and dangerous driving causing injury.
Brakewell killed 64-year-old Kenneth McCaul after crashing into his car during a police pursuit in October.
He was 17 and only on a learner licence when he failed to stop for police, running red lights as he fled.
Tragically, the pursuit came to an end when he hit McCaul's car, shunting it over the footpath into a stone wall.
A backseat passenger also broke his neck and suffered a brain injury.
In court, Brakewell wept as he was sentenced, and delivered a tearful apology to the family of his victim.
"If there is anything I can do to help out the McCauls... even if it's helping out mowing the lawns and gardening," he said.
A victim impact statement from McCaul's partner of 40 years, Owen Fraser, was read to the court. It said he feels numb, he struggles to sleep and finds himself asking why the world can be so cruel.
Fraser earlier told Newshub how the death had changed his life.
"They took us through to a room and they said that he'd passed away," he said through tears.
He is still trying to come to terms with his loss.
Brakewell's been disqualified from driving for four years. He's agreed to a restorative justice meeting, but that is yet to take place.
