A POLICE detective has welcomed the jail term handed to the dangerous drink-driver who killed an innocent mum-of-three.
Adam Boulton was sentenced to 10 years behind bars after causing the head-on crash which claimed the life of Paula Chadwick, 52, from Middlewich.
Detective Inspector Andrew Dennison of Cheshire Police's the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation unit said: "This was a tragic but entirely preventable collision caused by Boulton's poor driving and his catastrophic decision to drive while under the influence.
"Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with great responsibility to act within the rules laid down when you pass your test.
"That day Boulton chose to deliberately ignore those rules, he knowingly got behind the wheel while drunk and, as a result, of his actions an innocent woman lost her life.
"Paula's family have been left devastated following her death and I hope that in some small way, this gives them some comfort knowing justice has been served.
"I would like to pass on my gratitude to the members of public who assisted at the scene and to the court for handing down this sentence on Boulton."
Boulton, 36, of Essington Way, Tunstall, in Stoke-on-Trent, crashed head-on into Paula's car while driving on the A54 Holmes Chapel Road in Sproston on December 12 last year.
Police, fire, and ambulance were called to the scene and on arrival Boulton was found slumped over in the driver's seat, with a number of empty bottles of gin also found in the passenger footwell.
Paula had to be cut from her car by firefighters and was treated by paramedics while being taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital where, despite the best efforts of all those involved, she died the following day.
During Cheshire Police's investigation, witnesses described seeing Boulton driving erratically prior to the crash, including him veering onto the opposite side of the carriageway without warning and for no apparent reason.
Detectives also recovered evidence which showed that Boulton had been driving dangerously on the A556 in Tabley, just hours before the collision in Sproston.
Blood tests results later revealed Boulton's blood contained 262 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, almost three and a half times the legal drink drive limit.
When quizzed, Boulton lied to detectives claiming there was a mechanical fault with the car and he had been struggling to control it.
Tests showed there was no evidence of any fault.
In addition to his prison sentence, Boulton was also banned from driving for seven years upon release from prison.
Once he has completed his driving ban, he will also be required to undertake an extended driving test.