Almost 5,000 people have signed a petition calling for the sentence given to killer drink-driver Malcolm Waite to be extended.

Waite, who lived in Hoveton, was jailed for eight years last month after he admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of university student Fenella Hawes, 20, just outside Stalham on July 31.

But under the terms of his sentence, Waite, 68, could be released from jail on licence in just four years' time. 

However, a group of friends and colleagues of Miss Hawes' father, Ralph, have lodged a formal appeal with the Attorney General's Office for the sentence to be increased.

An online petition was also launched and can be found at change.org/p/justice-for-fenella.

The petition reads: “The police have said they have never seen someone so drunk behind the wheel of a car. 

“Let’s help the family bring Fenella some sort of justice by getting the sentence increased to something he deserves!”