A Walton man has been jailed for causing the death of a 13-year-old boy while “showing off” in a £1.2million Ferrari.

Matthew Cobden, who owns a car storage business, lost control of the Ferrari F50 in Hampshire while taking Alexander Worth for a drive.

The trial heard the car “accelerated uncontrollably” and launched into the air, throwing the pair out of the vehicle because neither of them was wearing a seatbelt.

Cobden, 39, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court to 18 months in prison for causing death by dangerous driving; he was also banned from driving for two years and must take an extended retest.

Sentencing, Judge Keith Cutler said: "You decided to put your foot down; the Ferrari was unnecessarily in second gear, it could have been in first gear, and you put your foot down in order to cause a thrill for Alexander. You were showing off; that is the explanation for the accident and its consequences.

"In accelerating such a powerful vehicle, you lost control of it. Your evidence was that while you were experienced in driving such cars, the surge of power took you by surprise.

"Nothing that this court can do can bring Alexander back to his mother and father and his family.

"Nothing that I can do can properly reflect or compensate that loss of his life."

Alexander was at Cobden’s storage business in North Warnborough with his mother Arabella Worth and her partner Justin Smith, who was delivering car batteries, when Mr Smith asked whether they could take a photograph of the car.

Cobden offered to take Alexander for a ride, and Mr Smith told the court Alex “in a flash, dashed” to get in the car.

The court heard Cobden break down while giving evidence about not asking Alexander to wear a seatbelt, saying: "It's something I think about all the time. If I had done, things could have been different."

The family of Alexander, from Kings Worthy, said: "The outcome of this trial will not bring Alexander back but we hope the media coverage has in some way increased awareness of the fragility of life and the danger of driving powerful cars for however short a journey and the necessity of adhering to all sensible safety measures.