A teenager who killed a female friend riding pillion on his motorcycle through dangerous driving has been jailed for three years.

Jay Cody Steede was in breach of his curfew at the Co-Ed facility when he caused the high-speed smash that claimed the life of Krystle Maya Babon, 15. He ran from the scene, but was caught nearby.

Steede, who was 17 at the time of the incident, apologised to Ms Babon's parents who watched as he was sent to the cells by Puisne Justice Carlisle Greaves yesterday.

Sentencing him to a five-year driving ban in addition to the jail term, the judge described the case as a tragedy, and said he has had a number of similar cases before him in recent months.

Stating his disbelief that the young people of Bermuda could be unaware of the dangers of reckless driving given recent high-profile safety campaigns, Mr. Justice Greaves warned: "We seem not to be getting through to them. When they fail to listen and they appear in these courts they must suffer the consequences of their actions, and the message to those who continue to breach our laws must be strong."

Steede, now 19, of Farmstead Road, Sandys, admitted causing death by dangerous driving at a previous court hearing. He was serving a three-year sentence at the Co-Ed at the time of the March 19 2005 incident - the court did not hear what for.

According to Senior Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney, Steede was on day release visiting his mother and was meant to be back by 7 p.m, but at 10.15 p.m he and Ms Babon were involved in the crash on Harbour Road in Warwick.

Riding a borrowed bike, Steede was heading east at high speed as was a car. Steede attempted to overtake the car as it was itself overtaking a stationary van. His bike collided with the car, throwing Ms Babon from the bike. Steede made off from the scene, but was found nearby. Ms Babon was taken to hospital, but later pronounced dead from head injuries.

Mr. Mahoney told the Supreme Court the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is five years, and recommended Steede receive between one and three years. "Offences of this nature are on the increase, with the number of road fatalities steadily increasing," he said, arguing that society must be protected from those who disregard the safety of other road users.

Steede was in custody until Christmas 2006 in connection with the offence, and on bail since. His lawyer, Mark Pettingill, argued that further jail time would be inappropriate in this case, which he described as "entirely tragic". He said his client has suffered the emotional consequences of Ms Babon's death, telling Mr. Justice Greaves: "There's no question that the relationship between Cody and the young lady that lost her life was one of friendship and this is something he will have to carry and live with the rest of his life, and that is an onerous burden."

Mr. Pettingill said Steede has undergone counselling for morbid depression and grief, and is now on the right path. He asked the judge to consider placing his client on a tough probation programme involving a curfew and more counselling. However, Mr. Justice Greaves interjected, asking what sort of message a non-custodial sentence would send to the community.

"He was doing so much foolishness before this day. He got sent to Co-Ed for all sorts of foolishness, corrective training (but) no-one was able to correct him at that time. He came out of the people's place (Co-Ed) drinking with all his friends," he said, pointing to a witness report stating that Steede and Ms Babon consumed alcohol prior to the fatal crash. However, Mr. Pettingill said forensic evidence suggested otherwise. Addressing the court, Steede simply said: "I would like to apologise to her family." Ms Babon's parents declined to comment after the case.