A DRINK driver who caused the death of a "doting" Redditch dad has been jailed for six years.

Craig Allen, aged 35, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Coventry Crown Court on Thursday, May 26 to causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

Allen tested positive for cocaine as well as being more than four times over the drink drive limit.

His sentence was reduced from nine years for an early guilty plea.

Allen, who was driving silver Ford Fiesta, was arrested following the fatal collision with 27-year-old Robert Loach’s orange Kawasaki motorbike on the A3400 Stratford Road in Wootton Wawen on Monday, April 25.

Mr Loach, who was described as a family man, worked for Astwood Bank business S E Davis, left behind partner, Lian, and two young children aged one and three.

Speaking shortly after his death, his girlfriend Lian said: "Robert was the world's most doting father, a loving and wonderful son and brother to seven cherished siblings. He was also a good friend to anyone that got to know him. He was my rock and my soul mate, the love of my life and I love him more than I could possibly say."

Robert's mother, Sam, added: "Robert was my first born son, a truly wonderful, inspirational person and most loving son."

West Midlands Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a doctor from the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance to the scene just after 8.30pm.

They said: "Ambulance staff arrived to find a motorcycle which had been involved in a collision with a car. The motorcyclist, a man, was in traumatic cardiac arrest. The medic and ambulance staff worked as a team to deliver advanced life support on the man.

"Sadly, the motorcyclist couldn’t be revived and he was confirmed dead on scene."

PC David Bull said: "This was a tragedy which could have been avoided. The simple fact is that driving when you have been drinking or taking drugs is not just illegal it puts you and other road users at risk.

"I hope that the sentence given out yesterday sends a message to all road users who might be tempted to drive after they have had a drink. It's just not worth it."