A father whose daughter was killed by a banned drink-driver only days before her 21st birthday today spoke of his family's continuing anguish as her killer was locked up for five-and-a-half years.

Talented photography student Carmel Hallam was on her way home in a taxi after a night out when a car driven by 20-year-old Joseph Robinson smashed into them.

Carmel suffered severe injuries and died in Bradford Royal Infirmary the next day, taxi driver 45-year-old Gazanfar Mahmood was also left seriously ill but survived and three other people were hurt in the horrific crash.

At the time, Robinson was disqualified from driving after a string of previous driving convictions, was uninsured, had never taken a driving test and was twice the drink-drive limit.

Yesterday he was sentenced to five and a half years in a young offender institution and given a further seven years driving ban at Bradford Crown Court.

Speaking after the sentencing, Carmel's father Brian Hallam fought back tears as he spoke of the family's anguish at hearing Robinson's barrister describe how he was a changed man after becoming a father since the accident.

"In five-and-a-half years at the end of his sentence it will all be over for him and he will be able to be with his children again but we will never have that with Carmel again, nothing will bring her back," said Mr Hallam.

"The grieving will never stop for us, we will never get over the pain of losing Carmel."

The court had heard that the crash which claimed Carmel's life took place about five hours after Robinson had bought a Rover car with a friend for £200 in a pub.

Carmel had been on her way home to Eccleshill after a night out at the Midland Hotel - celebrating the finish of her summer playscheme job - with her boyfriend John North and friend Liam Jordan.

The taxi they were travelling in was struck side-on at speed when Robinson failed to give way at the junction of Haworth Avenue and Swain House Road.

Prosecutor Andrew Hatton described how Robinson's friend Chris Hardy was thrown through the window of the Rover on to the road.

Taxi driver Mr Mahmood and Mr North and Mr Jordan were all badly injured.

Robinson, 20, of Alexandra Road, Blackpool, was also injured and when he was questioned about the smash he told police he had no recollection of it.

A breath test revealed he was almost twice the drink-drive limit at the time of the late-night crash in August 2003 and he admitted to officers that he had never passed a driving test.

The Honorary Recorder of Bradford, Judge Stephen Gullick, was told as a result of the crash Carmel's boyfriend had suffered physical injuries and severe psychological problems.

Mr Jordan had also been psychologically affected as well as suffering injuries, including a fractured vertebra.

Mr Mahmood had been left in constant pain from a series of injuries which included four broken ribs and a fractured pelvis.

During the hearing at Bradford Crown Court it emerged that Robinson had previous driving-related convictions dating back to the age of 17 and was subject to a two-year ban when the collision happened.

Barrister Sophie Drake, for Robinson, said he acknowledged that nothing she said on his behalf could ease the undoubted pain and grief of Miss Hallam's family and friends.

But she said Robinson did feel genuine remorse and suggested that the fact that he now has a young daughter and another baby due had heightened his appreciation of others' loss.

"He is a changed man, as one would hope, having done something as terrible as this," she told the court.

Robinson finally pleaded guilty to causing Miss Hallam's death by careless driving while unfit through drink last month.

Judge Gullick told him: "At the time of this offence, had you been obeying the order of the court you would not have been driving a motor vehicle at all.

"You seem to have a scant regard for the driving laws of this country and you appear to pay little heed to the orders courts have made."

Afterwards, Mr Hallam, who was in court with his wife Marie and 22 other family and friends of Carmel, praised family, friends and police for their support since the tragedy.

He said: "Waiting for today's sentence has dragged on for such a long time that it has been incredibly difficult. But we realise that we have to try to move forward although it seems impossible for some of us".

Carmel, described as a "bubbly, talented, athletic" girl, was just about to start her second year as a photography student at Northumbria University, Newcastle, and had also twice taken part in the junior British Ice Dancing skating championships with her brother Stephen.

In keeping with Carmel's wishes, her family allowed her organs to be donated after her death.

Family liaison officer PC Paul Patterson said the police were satisfied with the sentence handed down to Robinson and he added it was a warning to anyone else who thought they could flout the law on the roads.

"We will throw the full weight of the law behind our investigations," he said.