A NEWSPAPER delivery driver who killed a 56-year-old motorist by jumping a red light has been jailed for 21 months.

Victim Roy Bouston was dead on arrival at hospital after the crash near the Three Counties Showground on July 14 last year.

Alexander Marsh, aged 22, of Rainbow Hill, Worcester, had taken over the job of a friend in hospital and was trying to make up time as he dropped off papers at news outlets.

He admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Judge Marten Coates also banned Marsh from driving for five years and told him: "No doubt you'd been driving quite fast around country roads. This wasn't momentary inattention but a deliberate act of dangerous driving."

The judge said no sentence would make the lives of the victim's family any easier.

Marsh also appreciated that fact in a letter he sent the family, in which he expressed remorse.

Samantha Powis, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court, described how Marsh's Ford Transit collided side-on with Mr Bouston's van.

Mr Bouston had been on his way to work as a lorry driver for Malvern Hills District Council.

Marsh went through lights which were normally on red until triggered by oncoming vehicles by a sensor. A police investigator put his impact speed at over 40mph.

He has put his wedding off out of respect to the victim and his wife-to-be was expecting a baby, said Andrew Lockhart, defending.

"He doesn't remember anything about the accident. He ran a gross risk and for no good reason took away a life. He doesn't dispute he was travelling at over 40mph."

A keen angler, Mr Bouston was born and bred in Upton-upon-Severn.

He had been a batchelor until eight years ago and met his wife Joan because their mothers were living in the same block of sheltered housing.

His wife and two step children said they were "disgusted" by the length of the sentence.

"Nothing could ever replace Roy, but 21 months for a life?" said Mrs Bouston.