A drink-driver who caused the death of a mother in an 80mph smash as she returned home from her son's wedding has been detained for seven years and six months.

Steven Bennie appeared at the High Court in Glasgow last month and pleaded guilty to causing the death of Marie Laurie by dangerous driving.

Mrs Laurie, 57, and her husband Jamie were in a black Hackney taxi on Springboig Road in the east end of Glasgow on November 29 when it was struck by a car driven by Bennie.

The 21-year-old was being pursued by police at the time of the fatal collision after he drove off when they approached him because he did not have a licence at the time.

He also admitted driving while over the legal limit and without insurance. He was found to have 71mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood when the limit is 50mg.

Bennie returned to court on Friday to learn his fate and was sentenced to seven years and six months' detention by judge Lord Boyd.

The judge told him: "On November 29 last year, Marie Laurie was returning home with her husband from what must have been one of the happiest days of her life - her son's wedding.

"In an instant, as a result of your actions, that life was gone and a family who had just been celebrating were left to mourn their loss.

"The depth of that loss comes across eloquently from victim impact statements. There is nothing that I can do or say that can adequately mark the enormity of what happened and the impact of these events on family and friends."

On the night of the crash, Bennie had been drinking with friends after lying and telling them he had passed his driving test.

He then decided to take the car out and police spotted Bennie in the green Vauxhall Astra in Springhill Industrial Estate at around 1.30am.

Bennie fled from them on to Edinburgh Road, where officers activated their sirens and pursued him.

When Bennie saw officers approach, he panicked and told the friend: "I've not got a licence."

He immediately started the car and drove off.

Police began to pursue the young driver and clocked Bennie, who had a woman in the car with him at the time, travelling at 80mph on Edinburgh Road, where he swerved to avoid another vehicle.

The court heard the accused drove his car through a red light at the junction of Edinburgh Road and Springboig Road before it crashed into the taxi Mrs Laurie and her husband had just got into.

Mrs Laurie was thrown from the window on impact and died shortly after following efforts by police and paramedics to save her.

Her husband was taken to hospital. He suffered several fractures in the crash, having been trapped in the taxi.

Bennie's passenger also suffered injuries and had to be freed from the wreckage of his car.

Lord Boyd said: "I am satisfied that you have shown remorse for your actions. You have written me a letter of apology to the family. I am sure that you are genuine in your wish that this had never happened.

"You drove a car without a full driving licence and while uninsured. You were under the influence of alcohol.

"You failed to stop when signalled to do so by police officers. Having given the impression that you were going to stop, you then drove off at speed with the police in pursuit.

"You reached speeds of up to 80 mph in a 30mph limit. You turned off your headlights presumably so that you could not be seen."

He added: "Finally you went through a red light colliding with a taxi in which Mary and James Laurie were passengers, causing Mrs Laurie's death and the serious injuries to Mr Laurie.

"I am satisfied that you knew what you were doing. You deliberately chose to drive without a licence or insurance. You deliberately drove while under the influence of drink."