THE father of a Newport teenager who died after a hit and run crash last night slammed the six-year jail sentence imposed on the driver who caused his son's death.

Paul Snelgrove, 41, a printer of Brynglas Road, Newport, whose son Carl, 19, died after being hit by a car on Rowan Way, Malpas, on November 2, hit out after Paul May was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

May, 32, had pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing.

A grieving Mr Snelgrove said after the sentencing at Cardiff crown court: "The maximum was 14 years and he didn't get half that. But even a life sentence wouldn't have been long enough. It's not going to affect Carl anymore.

"May is scum. It's not the fact he hit Carl, it was the callous and calculating actions he took afterwards by leaving the scene and trying to get away with it."

Mum Pat Snelgrove, 39, a software tester, said: "The result was disappointing but we are glad the judge took it seriously. Carl was with someone (at the time of the crash) and it could've been two deaths."

But Mr Snelgrove praised the support his family has had since Carl's death.

He said: "More than 500 people attended Carl's funeral and it was fantastic support from such a young bunch of people.

"He was a very popular lad and we will miss him. We'd like to thank the investigating team and the police victim support unit."

Cardiff crown court heard yesterday that minutes before the horrific incident, Mr Snelgrove had been walking along the road laughing and joking with his friend Anthony Kingdon.

Prosecutor Tim Evans said Mr Snelgrove was hit by May's BMW which was out of control and travelling at about 50-55mph.

The court heard that May, of Briar Close, Undy, had been drinking with friends for several hours in the Three Horseshoes pub, Malpas.

In mitigation, Mr Stephen Jeary said May was not aware anyone had been seriously injured and attempted to get away because he panicked as he was tagged and on licence for another offence. Mr Jeary said May hadn't been "showing off".

Judge Gerald Price said he found the explanation that May was not aware of someone being seriously injured was "highly implausible".