A motorist left his friend for dead after he crashed during a high speed road race between the pair.

Both drivers clocked speeds of between 70 and 90 miles per hour on public roads in Manchester last June.

Craig Norman blasted through a 30mph zone while competing with ‘lifelong’ friend James Dickson.

Manchester Crown Court heard how Mr Dickson hit another car when he tried to overtake it before losing control and crashing into some railings.

Mr Dickson died from head injuries while a passenger in the car was flung out onto the road.

The court heard Norman managed to avoid the collision but slowed down to check the damage before he fled the scene.

He was then arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving on July 1.

Norman denied he had been racing Mr Dickson and described the crash as a ‘tragic accident’ which was not his fault.

At the time, Mr Dickson was drink driving and the pair had both been disqualified from driving.

Craig Norman has been jailed for his part in the crash (Picture: MEN Media)

Norman was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial.

He was sentenced to nine years, two thirds to be spent in custody, and an extra five years on licence. He was banned from driving for eight years.

Police sergeant Louise Warhurst, from Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘It is really difficult to comprehend the impact of Craig Norman’s reckless and ultimately fatal actions.

‘Situations like this are exactly the reason we are doing so much work to ensure that Greater Manchester’s roads are safer for us all so that fewer families have to receive this tragic news.

‘He not only showed no regard for anyone but himself during the incident, but he has not since offered anything in the way of genuine remorse of compassion for his inexcusable actions.

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‘It’s a sad but very real part of our job that we often see the devastating impact of criminally dangerous behaviour on our roads, but these tragic events would largely be avoidable if everyone took extra care for those around them who are also wanting to use our streets safely.’

Mr Dickson’s sister Kelly said in a statement in court: ‘I know James has been an idiot and I know he should not have been driving that car, but I truly believe if Craig Norman had not been egging him on and goading him into a race, James would never have driven that way and he would not be dead.

‘I don’t want people to remember James for the bad decision he made that day, I want them to remember he was a son, brother, father and uncle.’

She said her younger brother had a ‘heart of gold’ and was a ‘kindhearted’ person.

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A man has been jailed after leaving his badly injured friend for dead when he spun out of control.