The video will start in 8 Cancel

Don't get stuck in a rut! Have the top stories straight to your inbox for free - once a day, every day Yes please! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A heartbroken widow paid tribute to her “wonderful” husband after a motorcyclist was convicted of carelessly causing his death on a country road.

Margaret Payne said life without her husband of 43 years, popular Melton Mowbray wedding photographer Stuart Payne, was “like trying to live with half of me missing”.

(Image: Supplied Picture)

She added that Mr Payne would never get to meet his grandchild, who was born after his death.

The 66-year-old was killed while on his regular morning cycle ride.

He was fatally struck down by Mark Gilbert’s Kawasaki ZX motor bike, on the B6047 Dalby Road, near its junction with Sandy Lane, on the morning of July 20, 2014.

Because of Gilbert’s own physical and mental injuries sustained in the collision, it took three years for the case to reach Leicester Crown Court for trial.

But last week, he was found guilty by a jury of causing Mr Payne’s death by careless driving.

Speaking after Gilbert was sentenced to a nine month jail term, suspended for two years, and given a five year driving ban, Mrs Payne said: “I’m pleased with the verdict.

“I wanted justice for Stuart, and to be in court to see he got it – which he did.”

The 68-year-old, who lives in the Leicester Road area of Melton, and her late husband were teenage sweethearts, having first met at a youth club in Melton, and soon became inseparable.

(Image: Suzy Gibson)

She said: “I knew he was the one for me, right from the start.

“I’ve still got such beautiful memories of our time together.”

A victim impact statement read out in court laid bare Mrs Payne’s devastation at her beloved husband’s loss.

In the statement, she said: “The day my wonderful husband of 43 years was so tragically killed, my life was torn apart.

“We loved each other so much and it’s like trying to live with half of me missing.

“It’s been so difficult to come to terms with the awful tragedy.

“I have flashbacks of that most awful day of my life, when the police officer arrived at my door to tell me the terrible news that my wonderful husband, Stuart, had been so tragically killed.

“My life now is so empty without Stuart and the home that we shared and both loved so much is also empty and lonely without him.

“I always dread going back to the home, without him to be there to greet me and put his arms around me.

“He’s left behind a most wonderful daughter, Laura, and her partner.

“Laura, 32, loved her dad so much and misses him terribly.

“She now has a beautiful son, Finnley, who’s 19 months old.

“Stuart would have adored him and now will never see him or share the joys of him growing up.

“Family occasions are never the same without our lovely Stuart.

“Many people and friends all miss him, with his cheery smile and wonderful personality; he always had time for a chat with everyone and loved life.

“Stuart was a professional photographer for fifty years and was very well known, admired and respected.

“Losing Stuart has left a deep, empty and lonely sadness.

“We were so looking forward to the years ahead in our retirement.

“When I open my eyes in the morning I know that I’m waking up to another day without Stuart.

“The things we wanted to do together in our later years have been taken away.

“Stuart was always a most careful and experienced motorist and cyclist and had been cycling on the road where he died for many years.

“It has been so difficult getting prepared for this court case to see justice for Stuart.

“The case has been cancelled twice, only days before it was due to go ahead, and has caused me much mental stress and anguish.

“It’s now more than three years since that day Stuart lost his life … waiting and hoping to see justice being done for my wonderful Stuart.

“He was the love of my life, my world and I find it very difficult to live without him.”

Mrs Payne told the Mercury she wanted to thank Leicestershire Police, “in particular the liaison officer, Pc Mark Davey who has been a rock” supporting her for three years.

Stuart’s brother, David Payne, who also attended court, said: “I feel the same as Margaret, that justice has been done.

“It’s been tragic for all concerned.”