A DANGEROUS driver who was banned from the roads after causing a high-speed crash which killed his best friend has failed in his latest attempt to have the ban lifted.

Michael Lock was behind the wheel of a Citroen Saxo in November 2012 when it smashed into a road sweeper in Bromley Road, Colchester, while travelling at 55mph in a 30mph zone.

His passenger and close friend, 18-year-old Josh Irvine, died at the scene.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard in the months that followed, Lock, now 23, firmly denied he had flouted the speed limit.

He eventually admitted a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and in June 2014 was sentenced to three years in a Young Offenders’ Institution.

He also received a six year driving ban.

In October 2017, Lock applied to have the ban lifted, citing difficulties with work, but was rebuffed by Judge David Turner.

A further attempt was made to lift the ban, but yesterday Judge Turner ruled it will remain in place.

Samantha Lowther, prosecuting, said Lock had harassed Mr Irvine’s grieving parents and showed no “real remorse” for his actions.

She said: “A restraining order was imposed on the defendant.

“Josh’s parents informed me prior to the guilty plea being entered the defendant was driving around in a bright yellow car that his father had bought him.

“Despite a report in the paper saying he was suffering from post traumatic stress, he was driving around before the interim banning order was imposed.”

She added: “He has one and a half years left on his disqualification, it is the family’s view and the view of the crown that he should serve the remainder.

“There is no real justification for removing it.

“Every time an application is made it is further anguish for the parents.

“What Josh’s parents have been through is dreadful.

“On the day of the incident Josh’s father had to go to the mortuary to identify the body.

“Because the defence were given the opportunity to decide whether they wanted their own pathologist to examine Josh, his parents had to wait another 16 days for the body to be released.

“They were not able to have a completely open casket as a result of having to wait.

“There seems to be no real remorse in this case.”

Terence Newman, representing Lock, said: “He is truly remorseful, he knows the consequences of that tragic day will live with him forever.

“He knows that pales in significance compared to what Mr and Mrs Irvine are going through.

“His dad is going to be facing a difficult situation soon, he can’t afford to employ him for much longer as he cannot travel where he needs to.”