A heartbroken family saw justice served after two men were jailed for a hit-and-run crash in which a young Houghton Regis father was killed.

Fun-loving Wayne Sweeney, 26, of Dalling Drive, who had one son, died in the early morning collision involving his van and a Range Rover in Hendon.

Eighteen of his relatives and friends went to Wood Green Crown Court on Monday to hear for themselves the sentences handed out.

Afterwards, his aunt Lynda Sweeney, of Hillborough Crescent, Houghton, told the Gazette: "It's better than we hoped for, I have to say. We are quite pleased by the outcome.

"It could never be long enough. No sentence could ever have been enough for taking Wayne from us, it's as simple as that. But you have to be grateful for what you get."

Marius Kasparavicius, 23, of Barnet, was given a seven-year prison sentence after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for five years.

Shayan Khonsari, 22, also of Barnet, received a 15-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to dangerous driving. He was given a three-year driving ban.

The crash happened just before 3.30am on December 15, 2008, on the A406 North Circular Road, at the junction with the A1 Great North Road.

Wayne, a former Northfields Upper School pupil, lived with girlfriend Kerry Pearce. He was a supervisor for railway maintenance company Bridgen Enterprises.

After the crash, Wayne's mum said he had been a "funny, happy and caring young man who had lots of plans and lots to look forward to".