A man who killed his best friend in a crash on the way home from a birthday party uttered the words "I&apos;m sorry" as he was taken to the cells today.
Clinton Smith, 33, died when the Volkswagen Polo he was travelling in crashed into a row of trees, rolling around 60 metres down the road.
He was jailed for one year and six months for causing Clinton&apos;s death by careless driving.
Dodds said little in police interview, but claimed he had lost control after trying to avoid a muntjac deer.
A victim impact statement from Walter Smith, Clinton&apos;s father, was read aloud at Dodd’s sentencing hearing today.
Allan Compton, prosecuting, read on Walter&apos;s behalf and said: "Life is hell.
"Since the collision, I have suffered anxiety, stress, sleepless nights and nightmares.
"I suffer from images in my head. Every time I see a school friend of Clinton&apos;s, I break down.
"I come home early from work when I am upset, I cannot see the point in working anymore."
Mr Compton also drew attention to Dodds previous conviction of drink driving when he was serving in the Royal Marines in 2006.
Mitigating for Dodds was Tom Gent, who explained it was a tragedy for all involved.
“This is a truly tragic case and anything I say is not in any way to diminish that proposition,” he said.
“It cannot be proved he was over the legal limit, though it is clear from the evidence he did not monitor what he was drinking closely enough and he should not have got behind the wheel that night.
“He was such a close friend and remorse and guilt has consumed him.
“His reluctance to plead guilty was born out of his insistence he was trying to avoid an animal.
Mr Gent argued that an immediate custodial sentence would impact heavily on his family life and in particular his wife, who he had plans to adopt a child with.
But Judge Christopher Morgan believed the incident was so serious it only warranted an immediate jail term.
“The fact that Clinton Smith did not have his seat belt on cannot in any way affect your driving that night.
“You have the responsibility to ensure your passengers are wearing a seat belt.
“It is plain to see you are devastated by the consequences of your actions and will remain so.
Dodds, of Manor Park North in Cheshire, was given some credit for his guilty plea and will serve half of his sentence before being released on licence.
He is also disqualified from driving for two years and nine and a half months.
Investigating officer Sergeant Peter Swan, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This is a tragic incident which has cost a man his life and my thoughts and sympathy are very much with the victim&apos;s family.
"Andrew Dodds was driving in a manner which was beyond his ability. Not only does he have to serve his sentence, but also live with the knowledge that his actions cost his friend his life.
"While tests couldn&apos;t categorically prove Dodds was over the drink drive limit at the time of the collision, it is clear he had alcohol in his system.
"Having any alcohol in your system will have an impact on your ability to drive and react to hazards. The safest thing to do is to not get behind the wheel if you&apos;ve had a drink."