The family of a cyclist killed by a drink-driver with more than 30 criminal convictions today spoke of their heartbreak after he was handed a seven-year prison sentence.

Grandmother Yvonne Wyeth, 55, was cycling to work in Surrey early one morning last May when Jason Taylor, 35, rammed her from behind at more than 60mph “and sent her flying”.

Taylor had never passed a driving test and had 31 convictions for 74 offences, including eight for drink driving and six for driving while disqualified, Guildford crown court was told.

Mrs Wyeth’s son Craig said: “It has changed my life and my family’s life forever.

"I lost my dad just five years ago on Christmas Day to a heart attack and that almost destroyed my mum. But she grew stronger and was so excited to see me get married.

“My mum will now never get to see me get married or meet any children we may have.

"I’m angry at this man for getting into that vehicle whilst disqualified, he took our mum’s life.”

He said he was “still trying to get his head around” the sentence.

Taylor hit the mother-of-two in his Vauxhall Combo van while in the same lane as her in Molesey Road in Hersham at 6.40am on May 28. Mrs Wyeth, a cleaner who lived nearby, was cycling to work in high-visibility clothing.

Taylor admitted causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink, being over the drink-drive limit, and two counts of driving while disqualified.

He was two times over the limit and had cocaine and diazepam in his system, the court heard.

Prosecutor Amanda Hamilton said: “Mr Taylor came behind her and did not change his course. It was as if she wasn’t in the road. He hit her and sent her flying off her bike.

"Witnesses said she did two full cartwheels and landed on the grass verge. Attempts were made to resuscitate her but she was pronounced dead at 7.30am.”

She said Taylor then struck a Vauxhall Astra from behind before swerving into the path of an oncoming 17-tonne truck. The Astra driver estimated he was travelling at 60 to 80mph, she added.

Kevin Walls, defending, said that “although what he did that day was monstrous and criminal, he is not a monster. He is profoundly sorry for what he has done and has written a letter to Mrs Wyeth’s children expressing this.”

Sentencing, Judge Robert Fraser said: “You robbed a lady of her life and a family of a mother and whatever length of sentence I pass will not bring her back.

"I can only hope you mean the remorse you say you feel.”

Taylor, of West Molesey, was also banned from driving for nine years.