�A drunk motorist who careered into a bus, killing a Romford man, after driving “like she was in a video game”, has been jailed for nearly five years.

Rosie Lee Petherick, 22, of Great Cullings, Rush Green, overtook other cars at twice the 30mph speed limit before smashing into a double decker in East Ham in June last year.

Mother-of-one Petherick was also twice over the drink driving limit after a brandy binge.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Zeeshan Choudhary, 29, a passenger in her Ford Ka, died instantly.

Three other passengers – Her boyfriend Brian Murphy, Leah Sinclair and Reiss Gale – were also left with serious injuries.

Petherick was knocked unconscious and pulled out of the car by a shocked onlooker, but suffered no permanent injuries.

She had bought the car for �600 after she passed her test five months earlier but it had failed its MOT.

In a victim impact statement, the family of Mr Choudhary, described him as “a loving son, brother and friend”.

‘Devastated’

The statement said: “He had a charitable nature and enjoyed watching football matches, especially his favourite team, Manchester United. Our hearts weigh heavy with his loss.”

Petherick admitted causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving.

Sentencing her to four years and nine months in prison, Judge Inigo Bing said: “No sentence of this court can reconcile or help the family of Mr Choudhary, who died so tragically.

“But the sentence must reflect the feelings of the public that the needless taking of life must not go unpunished.”

He added: “I accept there may have been an element of encouragement but you should have resisted that.”

The judge also banned Petherick from driving for five years.

Margaret Russell, defending, said Petherick had been “absolutely devastated” by Mr Choudhary’s death: “This is a case which is a genuine tragedy and is horrendous for everyone concerned.

“Right from the start Ms Petherick was absolutely devastated and she was in such a state she needed counselling.

“She knows that when someone is killed, there is no going back and she recognises that she is going to have to live with this for the rest of her life.

“There is also another victim, her two-year-old son, who will inevitably suffer.”