A drink driver who killed a grandfather when he drove onto the wrong side of Karrinyup Road and caused a head-on crash has been sentenced to 4.5 years in jail.

Michael Craig Burvill, 20, was sentenced in the District Court today over a crash that killed Welsh expat Martin Roberts on January 4.

Mr Roberts' car was filled with passengers, including his wife Christina, when Burvill drove onto the wrong side of the road after drinking about 12 beers at a friend's house.

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Killed: Martin Roberts

One of his passengers needed 60 stitches to his head after the crash and another suffered broken arms, broken legs, a broken pelvis and a broken nose.

The three remaining passengers were treated for serious but not life threatening injuries.

The court was told Burvill, who was on his P-Plates at the time, was driving 80km/h in a 60km/h zone at the time of the crash.

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Mr Roberts' family, pictured outside court today, said the sentence for Burvill was not long enough. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

Outside court, Mr Roberts’ daughter Catherine said the 4.5 year sentence was not long enough and would not bring back her dad.

"It's changed our lives forever, we are in pain every single day," she said.

"We lost our dad and he is never coming back and we lost him in the most awful way and the sentence didn't reflect what it should have been.

"How can you ever forgive someone who did that?"

Burvill was charged with reckless driving in October 2013 after he was caught driving 129km/h in a 60km/h zone near Geraldton.

Judge Audrey Braddock said Burvill knew he was too drunk to drive but was "determined to get home at all costs".

She said his decision to get behind the wheel caused a crash that changed the lives of Mr Roberts' loved one and his passengers forever.

"You deliberately chose to drink and drive," she said.

"The consequences are truly appalling."

Burvill apologised for to Mr Roberts’ family for his “stupid mistake” after an earlier court appearance.

Mr Roberts was a prominent member of the Innaloo Sportsmen Club and had recently become a grandfather.

He was known to drop relatives and friends home after a night out because he saw it as his duty to deliver his loved ones safely.

Burvill was charged with dangerous driving causing death, two counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and excess 0.08.

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