A father-of-five has been jailed for five years for his part in a fatal road race between Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale.

John Benn-Landale, 48, a married father-of-three, died when his silver Volkswagen Transporter hit an oncoming bus on the A659 Pool Road just after 10.30pm on February 1, 2008.

He had been racing with a friend, 50-year-old Philip Airey, of Mill Croft, Pool, when the accident happened at a corner near the Pool Road sewage works. The men had earlier been drinking in the Cross Pipes pub.

Last month a jury at Leeds Crown Court found Mr Airey, who had left the scene of the accident and later pretended to know nothing about it, guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. He and his wife, Catherine, 54, were also found guilty of trying to pervert the course of justice.

Sentencing them both at the Crown Court on Tuesday, Recorder Bryan Cox said: "You went to considerable lengths to mislead the police and thwart their enquiries.

"During the trial you continued your dishonest reaction to what occurred that night.

"Neither of you, I'm afraid, are entitled to any credit for facing up to what you did. Neither of you show any remorse and whilst it is said you suffered because you lost a friend that night that submission rings somewhat hollow in view of your conduct ever since this accident occurred.

"You had no regard for Mr Benn-Landale that night, you were concerned only for yourself, Mr Airey.

"Without your participation this tragic accident would not have occurred."

Mr Airey was sentenced to four-and-a-half years for causing death by dangerous driving and to six months each (which will run concurrently) on two counts of trying to pervert the course of justice. He was also disqualified from driving for five years.

Mrs Airey's nine-month sentence for obstructing justice was suspended on the grounds of her previous good character and that her motivation had been "mainly loyalty to your husband." She was also ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid community work.

Mr Benn-Landale's twin brother, Paul, of Adel, said: "The fact is I've lost my brother, he's paid for it with his life in the accident. In some way Phil has to pay for his actions, he's got to pay. He was supposed to be a mate, but he just disappeared from the scene, which is not the act of a friend."

Mr Benn-Landale's widow, Lynda, talking after the Aireys had been found guilty in June described their actions as "diabolical", but said the family was relieved justice had been done.

Full story in this week's Wharfedale & Airedale Observer. Out Thursday.