Friends and family remember Kenneth McCaul, who was killed while driving to work by a car involved in a police pursuit.

Owen Fraser sometimes wishes he was dead too after a teenager crashed and killed his partner of 40 years while fleeing police.

Jayden Richard Breakwell, 18, was sentenced by the High Court in Christchurch on Monday to two years and eight months in jail for manslaughter and reckless driving causing injury. Justice Cameron Mander lifted the teen's name suppression on Monday. No minimum jail term was imposed.

Breakwell was 17 and on a learner licence when his Toyota Caldina T-boned Kenneth McCaul's car shortly after 4am on October 22. McCaul, 64, was on his way to work when Breakwell crashed into him at the intersection of Idris and Glandovey roads in Fendalton.

STUFF Kenneth McCaul was driving his Hyundai Grandeur when he was T-boned at the intersection of Glandovey and Idris roads in Christchurch. (Composite image)

The chase began when Breakwell failed to stop for police on Papanui Rd after officers noticed the car being driven erratically. Breakwell ran at least three red lights before crashing into McCaul's vehicle.

The Caldina hit McCaul's car on the passenger side, shunting it sideways across the road and into a stone wall on the opposite side of the intersection.

John Kirk-Anderson Jayden Breakwell was sentenced in the High Court in Christchurch on charges of manslaughter and reckless driving causing injury.

The teen later told police his friends were encouraging him to flee from police and his friend in the front seat recorded the pursuit on his cellphone. Breakwell admitted he breached the conditions of his learner licence by consuming alcohol, carrying passengers, and driving after 10pm.

All five teenagers in the Caldina were admitted to hospital. One of the occupants, a 17-year-old, broke his neck and had to be put in an induced coma for two weeks. He has had to learn how to walk and talk again, is unable to play sports, and will likely be in pain for a lengthy period of time.

﻿Breakwell broke down in tears when the victim impact statement from Fraser, McCaul's husband, was read to the court.

Supplied McCaul, right, and Owen Fraser on their wedding day.

Fraser, who was not at court for the sentencing, wrote about how financial difficulties after his partner's death could mean he would be forced to sell their home, which was their "pride and joy".

"It would be like leaving my heart and soul behind when I have to walk out the door for the last time. Why is the world so cruel at times?

"After doing everything together for 40 years, it is just no fun doing anything by yourself. I feel numb a lot of the time and still can't believe what has happened. Every day I wish that Kenneth could just appear.

Jane Ussher Owen Fraser, right, says he decided not to attend any of the court proceedings because they were too hard emotionally.

"At times I feel like my life has come to an end. I sometimes wish I was dead so I could be with him."

None of McCaul's family members were present in court, but Breakwell chose to read out a letter he had written the family regardless. He acknowledged he knew his actions were wrong and that he should not have fled from police.

"I am terribly remorseful of what has happened and I just wish that no-one had died."

He said he understood the great pain McCaul's death has brought his loved ones.

"If there is anything I can do to help out the McCauls, I am more than happy to help them out – even if it is helping to mow the lawn or do the garden, etc," he said.

Breakwell began crying again when he was sentenced. Judge Mander urged him to not allow himself to be negatively influenced by others.

"Make sure you stay on track and that you do the right thing," the judge told him.

Fraser said he decided not to attend the sentencing hearing because it was too hard emotionally.

He said he expected the sentence might bring a degree of closure to him, but nothing could undo what had been done.

THE PURSUIT

The police chase lasted four minutes and four seconds.

After it started, both vehicles – Breakwell and the police behind – reached speeds of 90kmh on Papanui Rd, which is a 50kmh zone, the summary of facts said.

Breakwell slowed to 70kmh then ran a red light at Bealey Ave to get onto Victoria St, driving past the Casino at 65kmh.

He turned right onto Kilmore St, right into Park Tce, then at the Bealey Ave intersection again drove through a red light onto Carlton Mill Rd. There, a second police car joined the pursuit.

Breakwell continued onto Rossall St, reaching speeds of about 85kmh, then turned left onto Glandovey Rd. When Breakwell reached the intersection of Idris Rd, he drove through the red light and crashed into McCaul's car.