"BATTRICK will be able to return to a normal life in a couple of years - Lily and Abbey tragically will never have the opportunity to blossom and enjoy life."

Those are the words of Lily Butterfield-Godwin's family days after James Battrick was jailed for causing the crash which led to the 19-year-old's death.

Both Lily and friend Abbey Rogers, also 19, were killed after Battrick's Mazda RX8 hit a brick wall in Lyndhurst on December 13 last year.

The lights of the car had not been switched on and the 21-year-old had been driving at "excessive" speed in the moments before the crash.

Tests taken three hours later showed Battrick was still over the legal drink-drive limit, and he admitted drinking five pints of cider before getting behind the wheel of the car.

An expert witness on drug driving also said the levels of cannabis in Battrick's system made him 'unfit to drive'.

Last week, he was sentenced to six years and nine months behind bars at Bournemouth Crown Court after admitting two counts of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink or drugs and one of possession of cannabis.

A statement released by Lily's family today reads: "This sentencing may be the end of the legal process but it is not the end of what everyone who knew and loved Lily and we as a family have to suffer.

"Words cannot express our daily pain and grief that has devastated our lives and the lives of so many others.

"We have been fully supported throughout by the police team and superb family liaison officers and will remain forever appreciative of all their hard work, and that of the barrister and judge in this case.

"However, we feel let down by a legal system that means Battrick will be out of prison in just a few years when he has caused the death of our daughter and loving sister; but also the death of Abbey and serious injury to Lily’s lifelong best friend, Kim Sellman."

Battrick, of Old Romsey Road in Cadnam, had been giving the girls lifts home after a night out at The Stag Hotel in Lyndhurst, where Lily worked part-time as a barmaid.

The crash took place just a quarter of a mile into the journey.

"We can never bring back our beautiful daughter who loved life and touched so many people's hearts," Lily's family said.

"She is irreplaceable. We remain devastated by our loss and have to try and move forward in the knowledge that Battrick chose to drive on a concoction of drink, drugs and high speed.”