THE widow of a motorcyclist killed by an illegal driver has told of how her husband was “snatched” from her life.

Simon Tomlinson

THE WIDOW of a motorcyclist killed by an illegal driver has revealed for the first time how her husband was “snatched” from her life.

Joseph Gray, 51, died after being struck by an out-of-control 4x4 driven by James Eaton, who is today starting an 18-month jail term.

Uninsured Eaton, described as an inexperienced driver, skidded into Mr Gray's path after accelerating “excessively” along Landseer Road in Ipswich on October 5 last year.

In a statement read out at Eaton's sentencing, his widow Sandra Gray, of Lindbergh Road, Ipswich, said: “My husband was on his way home from work at the bus depot.

“It was then that Joseph was snatched away by a motorist who should never have been on the road.”

She recalled the fateful “knock at the door” when two police officers broke the tragic news to her and 19-year-old son, Sam. “The shock and horror of that moment will live with me forever,” she continued.

Eaton, 21, of Woodbridge Road East, Ipswich, admitted causing death by careless driving, using a fraudulent vehicle licence and registration mark, and driving without insurance and an MOT.

Judge David Goodin said: “Mr Gray died because of your misuse of that 4x4.”