A PENSIONER has spoken of his devastation after the unlicensed motorcyclist who knocked down and killed his wife had his prison sentence cut.

James Sugden has spent the past 14 months coming to terms with his loss and was slowly starting to rebuild his life.

But, after hearing that Martin Tyson, the man who knocked over his wife, Elizabeth, has had his sentence reduced from three years to two years, his life has, once again, been turned upside down.

Mr Sugden, a retired lorry driver, said: “I am really angry with the justice system. They don’t take into consideration the impact these crimes have on the victims’ families.

“I found it really difficult at Christmas and New Year to come to terms with Elizabeth not being around, then it was the anniversary of her funeral and her birthday – it was a real struggle to get through those times.

“I was just starting to get things together again and I am told that his sentence has been cut. To be honest, I had had enough and didn’t think it was worth going on.”

Tyson – who has 30 previous convictions for 71 offences, most of them driving related – admitted causing death by careless driving at Teesside Crown Court last October.

He was jailed for three years and disqualified from driving for the same period.

When the accident happened, he was not insured and did not have a licence.

Mr Sugden, of Grinkle Road, Dormanstown, Redcar, east Cleveland, said: “I have lost the most important person in my life and I know there is nothing that can be done to bring her back but, surely, this man deserves a longer sentence than two years.

“Liz was a fit and strong 71- year-old. She had years of life left to live and he took that away from us both.”

Tyson, of Elm Road, Redcar, was riding a Kawasaki ZZR 600 at 75mph on the fourlane A1085, near Redcar, when Mrs Sugden was hit while she walked a friend’s dog.

She suffered major head injuries and died in hospital.

Tyson said he had seen Mrs Sugden, but thought she would wait until he had ridden past before crossing. When he saw her about to cross the road, he unsuccessfully tried to change lanes to avoid her.