THE driver of a high performance £90,000 Jaguar who killed a rugby referee in a head-on crash has been jailed for 30 months.

John Shaw, aged 61, of The Meadway, Headless Cross in Redditch, who was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial at Worcester Crown Court, was also disqualified for four years and must take an extended test before he can drive again.

The victim of the crash, on October 12, 2013, was 59-year-old David Smith who was driving his VW Golf in Pershore Lane outside the Worcester Warriors ground when confronted by the Jaguar.

He was on the way to be an assessor at a match.

Shaw was taking the F-type convertible to a garage in Ombersley Road, Worcester, after it had been on display at a promotion for a cycling event.

Witnesses gave evidence of the car "fish tailing" as it left the rugby ground.

Prosecutor Gareth Walters read to the court impact statements from Mr Smith's sister Rosemary Silverton and partner Michelle Kennedy. Both said they had been badly affected by Mr Smith's death.

Mrs Silverton said she felt guilty she had been unable to protect her brother.

She said his death was unnecessary and all she wanted was justice.

Miss Kennedy said Mr Smith had been her partner for 12 years and they had intended to get engaged the weekend he was killed.

The tragedy had made her a nervous driver.

Peter Fortune, mitigating, said Shaw had been badly injured and had been in hospital for seven weeks. He had a fractured ankle and wrist and back injuries which needed spinal fusion.

He could not remember much of the incident but now had genuine remorse.

Shaw, a retired motor/vehicle technician, had a 42-year clean driving licence and had not driven since the accident.

Judge Richard Rundell said the aggravating feature of the accident was that Shaw had shown excessive speed which could have reached 75mph in a 50mph area.

He had already begun to lose control in the seconds before the crash.

He said that Shaw, who attended court in crutches, must serve half his sentence before he could be released.