A DRUNK driver from Chiddingfold, who killed a policeman in a road smash outside the Winterton Arms on the A283 Petworth Road in the village, just months after getting his licence back, was jailed for five years on Wednesday.

Eric Gill, 47, from Combe View, Woodside Road, crashed into Pc Nigel Skinner as he pulled out of the pub car park without looking, the Old Bailey heard.

He had consumed three pints of strong bitter and a Guinness before deciding to take a chance and drive to his house, which was less than 15 minutes walk away.

Father-of-two Gill got into his Mercedes 280 car and drove out of the car park.

But he failed to see motorcyclist Nigel Skinner, a Surrey police officer, based at Woking, who was on his way home from work.

Keen biker Pc Skinner, who was married with two teenage children and a six-year-old son, was riding his beloved Triumph home to Aldwick, near Bognor Regis.

Pc Skinner, 48, ploughed into the side of the car and was hurled across the road.

The court heard that Gill - who had been banned for 18 months in March 2000, for being over the limit - was so drunk he staggered across the road after the crash and tripped over Mr Skinner's body.

Then he assaulted a paramedic and asked a fireman if an ambulance had been called - even though it was right in front of him.

Shocked onlookers watched as Gill tried to drive the Mercedes away, and then attempted to push it back into the car park when it failed to start.

Self-employed builder Gill claimed he had simply not seen Pc Skinner as he pulled out onto the A283 near Chiddingfold.

But he was convicted of causing death by careless driving due to excess alcohol.

Jailing him for five years and banning him from driving for 10 years, Judge Paul Collins told Gill:"To embark on a potentially dangerous manoeuvre on a dark country road, having consumed four pints of beer on an empty stomach, is criminal folly.

"It resulted in the tragic death of another human being.

"His speed is not a mitigating factor. There would have been no accident had you not pulled out without looking.

"You had drunk twice the legal limit and your offence was compounded by the fact that you had been convicted of driving with excess alcohol only two years before.

"The court does not attempt to place a value on the life that has been lost, or to reflect it in the sentence - it would be as pointless as it would be insulting."

The court heard that the tragedy happened on the A283 Petworth Road at around 7.40 pm on February 28 this year.

A former nurse who was just about to enter the pub tried desperately to help, but realised Mr Skinner had suffered massive injuries.

As he lay dying in the road, Pc Skinner asked her: "Why did he pull out? He must have seen me."

When he was breathalysed, Gill registered 69 micrograms of alcohol per 100 mls of breath. The limit for driving his 35 micrograms.

Prosecutor Derek Zeitlin said that although Pc Skinner was 20 mph above the speed limit at the time of the crash, he was known to be a very competent motorcyclist who had been riding since he was 16.

He had a clean licence, and motorists who saw him driving home earlier that evening said he was "progressive and competent".

Mr Zeitlin added:"He was certainly no slouch when it came to motorcycling."

Gill had earlier admitted drink-driving and driving without insurance on the night. His Mercedes 280 will be confiscated by the Crown.

Speaking outside court after the case, Mr Skinner's widow Stephanie said her husband leaves three children aged six, 16 and 19.

She said:"I am really pleased that justice has been served and he got the appropriate sentence and is off the road.

"His previous conviction shows he is a person who thinks he is above the law.

"What has got me annoyed is that he has shown no remorse since the day this happened."

A long-time friend of Pc Skinner, who did not wish to be named, said that Pc Skinner was thought to have been looking to retirement next month after 30 years in the police force.

"He was very, very popular with his colleagues at all levels and renowned for his sense of humour.

"His passions in life were his family, his job and motorcycling.He was a competent rider, travelling thousands of miles, and was a frequent visitor to the Isle of Man TT Races."