A British Army veteran has been jailed for killing a father-of-five while drink-driving with three children in his car.

Desley Nuptial, 39, from Ascot, was involved in a head-on collision with Choudhry Saqib Ashraf late on the evening of September 10, 2022.

Both men were driving Mercedes, and their cars collided in London Road, Ascot.

Mr Ashraf, a 40-year-old car trader from Maidenhead, was killed instantly.

There were emotional scenes in the public gallery at Reading Crown Court today (June 3), as Mr Ashraf's family gathered for Nuptial's sentencing.

The defendant pleaded guilty to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and drink-driving at a hearing earlier this year.

The court heard Nuptial had 79 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath - over twice the legal limit.

At the time of the collision, he was travelling with four passengers - three of them children. None of the passengers had their seatbelts on, and some were injured in the collision.

Judge Sarah Campbell told Nuptial he was "extremely fortunate" to have avoided additional charges over the injured passengers.

Some of Mr Ashraf's family wept as a statement from his wife was read out by prosecuting barrister Andrew Johnson.

The victim was a father to five children - one of whom was born after his death.

His wife stated: "The knowledge that our child would never know his father will be an everlasting source of sorrow for me."

Mr Ashraf - the son of a prominent Pakistani politician - came to the UK at age 18. He initially worked as a taxi driver, before starting a car trading business.

His funeral in Kashmir was extensively reported in the local media, and attracted around 14,000 mourners.

His wife said: "He was a loving and caring husband and father, always putting his family's wellbeing above all else.

"His warm, inviting personality made him easy to talk to, and effortlessly able to form connections with people from all walks of life."

Nuptial - a British Army veteran - appeared in the dock wearing a grey Jack Wills tracksuit.

Defence barrister Stephen Bailey said his client was "beyond remorseful" for killing Mr Ashraf.

Mr Bailey said: "This defendant knows that he acted irresponsibly that night - that his driving was dangerous."

Judge Campbell, sentencing Nuptial, described the victim as a "loving, caring" husband and father, and a pillar of his community both in the UK and in Pakistan.

She acknowledged Nuptial's previous lack of convictions, and his military service. However, a pre-sentence report found that the defendant's work in the army - which involved driving - may have actually contributed to his decision to get behind the wheel drunk.

Judge Campbell stated: "I agree with the author of the pre-sentence report that this no doubt gave you an inflated sense of confidence."

Nuptial appeared visibly distressed as he was told he would be jailed for nine years and nine months over the fatal crash.

The judge rounded off proceedings by paying tribute to Mr Ashraf. She said: "I know that no sentence that I pass can ever make up for his loss."