An 'idiotic' speedster was spotted inhaling nitrous oxide just two minutes before causing a horrific crash that killed his friend. Ryan Evans, 27, was one of three passengers in an Audi A3 driven by Arran Donnelly, now 28, through Stockport when disaster struck. Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Donnelly was seen driving at up to 'two-and-a-half times' the speed of other vehicles in Reddish on Saturday, February 24, last year.

He lost control of the car while approaching a bend on Broadstone Road, mounting the kerb before crashing into a wall. Donnelly and the two passengers sat on the left-hand-side of the car survived, but Mr Evans - who was sat behind the driver - tragically died at the scene.

The court heard Mr Evans was only a matter of days away from jetting off to Thailand with his brother when the crash took place, leaving the family 'torn apart' by his 'sudden and senseless loss', reports the Manchester Evening News. The four friends were only on a short drive as they made their way to a pub - but that was enough time for Donnelly's driving to have devastating consequences.

A brief video clip officers discovered on Mr Evans' phone, shown in court, featured Donnelly in the driving seat with a balloon in his mouth at around 5.57pm and 0.7 miles from the scene of the crash, which took place at 5.59pm.

Prosecuting, Fiona Clancy said witnesses described seeing Donnelly using 'aggressive acceleration' through the residential area with a 30mph speed limit. One onlooker recounted seeing Donnelly 'accelerate away at a terrifying speed, as if the accelerator had been floored'.

Witnesses speculated that the Audi was travelling 'at least double' the 30mph limit, with one estimating speeds of 'around 70mph to 80mph' and describing the car being driven 'like a bat out of hell'. Ms Clancy informed the court that visibility was 'clear' at the time of the crash, and no defects were found in the road surface which could have led to the collision, with police concluding that 'driver error' most likely caused the crash.

CCTV footage revealed the Audi speeding excessively along Broadstone Road. In one clip, sparks could be seen flying from the car after it had mounted the kerb and continued travelling along the road. Additional footage showed the car spin left by 90 degrees at Houldsworth Street, before coming to a stop with the right-hand side of the car crashing into a wall outside Houldsworth Mill, opposite the Grey Horse pub.

Ms Clancy recalled evidence from witnesses in the moments after the crash, who described seeing Donnelly 'squeeze out of the driver's door' before remaining at the scene. His front-seat passenger was seen 'limping badly' after getting out of the Audi and into another vehicle before leaving, while the passenger sat next to Mr Evans left the car 'looking dazed', the court heard.

A number of passers-by tried to help Mr Evans before emergency services arrived, including a retired firefighter. Police apprehended Donnelly and uncovered six balloons containing nitrous oxide - commonly referred to as laughing gas - inside the vehicle, along with 'several large canisters' of the substance, Ms Clancy revealed.

DNA evidence linked one of the balloons directly to Donnelly. The prosecution argued the motorist may have lost command of his vehicle due to his consumption of the class C substance, despite its brief duration of effects. His Honour Judge Usher stated he could not be certain the drug triggered the crash, though Donnelly's laughing gas usage served as an aggravating element during sentencing.

He remarked: "How can I be sure that he wasn't driving in the idiotic way that he was simply because he's an idiot, rather than the effects of the drug?" Emotional scenes unfolded in the crowded public gallery as a series of heartfelt victim impact statements were delivered on behalf of Mr Evans' relatives and close companions.

Donnelly - dressed in a black jacket, white shirt and black tie in the dock - was observed sighing, gazing downward and dabbing away tears as he listened to the devastating impact his actions had inflicted upon Mr Evans' loved ones.

His father, John Evans, described his 'wonderful' eldest son as someone who would 'do anything for you if he could', whilst mother Eloise Mckeown spoke of his 'beautiful personality', stating: "I would give literally anything just to have a few minutes with him to know he's OK."

In mitigation, Hunter Gray highlighted that Donnelly possessed no prior convictions, maintained a clean driving record and had recently welcomed a child. In a letter read out in court by Mr Gray, Donnelly addressed Mr Evans' family: "I know that nothing I can say can ease the pain that I have caused. I just want you to know how truly sorry I am for the hurt and suffering I have brought into your lives."

Donnelly, from Ince Close, Heaton Norris, admitted to causing Mr Evans' death by dangerous driving at a previous court hearing. He received a sentence of six years and nine months in prison, half of which he will serve behind bars with the remainder on licence. Donnelly was also given an eight-year and four-month driving ban, followed by a compulsory retest.

During sentencing, Judge Usher told Donnelly: "Driven dangerously by young men like you, cars can be - as this case sadly yet again demonstrates - as deadly as lethal weapons." After the sentencing, Detective Constable Alex Giblin, from Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, stated: "Donnelly's actions and driving on this day resulted in a young man tragically losing his life.

"Evidence found that Donnelly had been travelling at speed and consuming nitrous oxide whilst driving. I hope this sentence becomes reality for other road users who think these actions are acceptable."