McAndrew was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow

Gordon Logan, 10, died after being thrown 45ft in the air by a car shortly after leaving his mother Wendy to walk to his Kirkcaldy home with a friend.

In jailing Ryan McAndrew, the judge, Lord Abernerthy, told him his actions had led to a "dreadful tragedy".

"It makes a mockery of justice. He could have got the same sentence at the sheriff court," said Gordon's mother.

McAndrew, 23, from Kirkcaldy, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

Lord Abernethy, told McAndrew that nothing he could do would bring Gordon back.

He also explained to Mrs Logan 34, who sat with relatives in the back of the court, that the sentence could in no way place a value on Gordon's life.

'Public interest'

Lord Abernethy told McAndrew: "This case is nothing short of a dreadful tragedy. A young boy has lost his life and your life has been ruined.

"I must take account of the public interest in making it clear that people who drive at this speed must be punished severely."

Lord Abernethy also banned McAndrew from driving for seven years.

At an earlier court appearance in Edinburgh, McAndrew admitted causing the boy's death by driving dangerously on 23 March last year.

He could have got the same sentence at the sheriff court Wendy Logan Mother

The court heard that he had been speeding to meet his girlfriend who lived nearby and that he had been racing another car.

Minutes earlier Mrs Logan had given her son and a friend money for a McDonald's as a treat after they had visited her at a nearby Asda superstore where she was employed.

She watched the children leave to begin their two-minute walk home.

The court heard that the friend crossed the 40mph dual carriageway onto the central reservation first and looked round to watch Gordon cross.

He saw a car coming and shouted to Gordon to stay where he was, but instead the boy ran towards him and was struck by McAndrew's car.

'Mockery of justice'

The friend ran into the store to tell Gordon's mother what had happened.

The court heard that measurements at the scene showed McAndrew had been driving at 86mph and had he been observing the speed limit he could have stopped safely.

It took him 110 metres to come to a stop and the braking was so fierce, the tyres had worn down to metal fabric.

Graham Robertson, defending, told the court that McAndrew was completely devastated at causing the death of the child.

Gordon's grandmother, Gwen Young, 59, said: "I hope he gets a hard time in prison. My daughter has had a terrible time. This has ruined her life."

Inspector David McCulloch, of Fife Police, said the case should serve as a warning to other drivers.

He added: "The lives of a child and a young man have been destroyed by a moment of madness behind the wheel.

"Travelling above the speed limit brings with it increased risks of losing control of a vehicle and having a collision.