A MAN was killed by a drunk friend who drove him home after a heavy drinking session and caused a horrific crash in St Mary, an inquest has heard.

Manuel Avelino Sp’nola Bettencourt De Sousa was 42 when he died in the early hours of 13 November last year. Police witness Detective Constable Jeremy Bolton said that Mr De Sousa had been on a heavy drinking session in St Helier with Jose Figueira and Agostinho Da Silva before Figueira took the fatal decision to drive. Among the bars they visited was Springfield Stadium Café, which hosts a traditional Portuguese karaoke night. CCTV cameras captured Figueira drinking numerous bottles of alcohol. Following more drinks at St James’s Wine Bar the trio headed to Figueira’s van – equipped with tools for his job as a gardener – and drove off, without wearing seat belts. Mr De Sousa was in the front passenger seat and Mr Da Silva sat in the back, among the spades, sickles, forks and pick axes that belonged to Figueira. At St Mary’s Church the van veered off the road and smashed into a granite pillar, killing Mr De Sousa instantly and crippling Mr Da Silva.