A killer driver who claimed a sneeze made him lose control of his car has been jailed for six years.

James Gillam's friend Ricky Fitter died instantly when his car hit a tree after a night out in Croydon.

He told a jury this week that a sneeze made him lose control of his Vauxhall Omega in South Norwood's Woodside Way on April 8 last year.

Gillam said he was on his way to work at 6.30am. He told Croydon Crown Court his speed was between 35 and 40mph and that after sneezing he misjudged a corner and over-steered. Expert witnesses put the speed of the car at the start of the skid marks as between 28 and 43.

He said he had been out at the Croham Arms in South Croydon, the Reflex Club in Park Street and then at a friend's house near Pampisford Road.

Gillam said he had two drinks during the evening and was sober. But PC Jim Beard said there was a strong smell of drink at the accident scene and firefighter John Plant, who helped to release the trapped passengers, said Gillam smelt strongly of alcohol.

Witness Ian McLauchlin said he saw a car coming towards him on his side of the road.

He added: "It went from one side of the road and bounced over to the other side. I didn't see the impact but I don't recall any braking.

"I got out and went to the scene. There was debris across the road. The engine was running and loud music was coming from the car."

Another motorist Polat Djelal said: "The car seemed to have hit a bump in the road and started fish-tailing. It spun around and just missed me."

Gillam, 28, was in hospital for eight days with two fractured ribs, a collapsed lung and other injuries.

He was asked to give a breath test at the scene but said he couldn't because he was having a panic attack and couldn't breath.

Gillam, of Woodside Way, South Norwood, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.