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A speeding drink-driver who had taken cocaine killed a cyclist in a head on crash and then fled only to order another pint.

Joseph Bills, 22, has been jailed for just three years and four months.

He had been doing up to 39mph in a 30mph zone when he hit 35-year-old Dave Thorman as he cycled home after work in Whitstable, Kent, in March.

Bills was one and a half times over the limit and behind the wheel of a van when he drifted into the path of Mr Thorman, after taking cocaine and visiting two pubs.

As others tried to save the life of chef Mr Thorman, described by his family as a "unique free spirit with a gentle soul," the labourer drove off with a broken windscreen and smashed light.

He then popped into a pub despite having glass in his hair and initially claimed he had had a row with his girlfriend.

But he eventually broke down in tears and told a friend "I've killed him, I've killed him".

(Image: KMG / SWNS.com)

The labourer who has since been sacked then returned to the accident scene and told police he was the driver of the van involved.

But he lied and claimed Mr Thorman had been doing wheelies.

He also said he had been reaching down for a cigarette at the time, which he later retracted.

He was jailed for three years and four months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and for driving away with a shattered windscreen and broken headlight.

He also pleaded guilty to drink driving and failing to stop after the accident at Canterbury Crown Court.

(Image: SWNS)

Sentencing Judge Rupert Lowe said: "You drove away in a panic having no regard for the person you had hit.

"You lost concentration and allowed your van to veer across the road and straight into Mr Thorman's path.

"You should not have been behind the wheel of your van."

Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly said Mr Thorman was cycling home from work when the van crossed the road and knocked him into the air.

She said the chef, who worked at the Crescent Turner Hotel, had not contributed to the crash.

She added that although Bills admitted taking cocaine the night before, the Crown could not contradict his claim that he wasn't affected by the drug at the time of the crash.

Phil Rowley, defending, said his client accepted he was solely responsible for what happened, and said the claim about the wheelie "simply wasn't true".

Mr Rowley said: "He mixed fatigue from work with foolishly drinking alcohol.

"He was feeling drowsy and can't explain why the van crossed the carriageway."

Bills of Whitstable was also banned from driving for 44 months.