THE family of a gipsy killed when a car crashed into his horse-drawn caravan told of their disgust last night after the driver responsible was jailed for only 12-months.

David Ward, 40, from Coxhoe, County Durham, died on the A66 near the County Durham border with Cumbria when a car crashed into two caravans on their way to the Appleby Horse Fair, on June 7 last year.

The fatal accident was witnessed by Mr Ward's 15-year-old son, who was travelling in the other caravan.

The driver of the car, 31-year-old John Thompson, from Sunderland, was yesterday given a 12-month prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving. He may be eligible for release within six months.

After the hearing, held at Carlisle Crown Court, Mr Ward's mother, Ann, said: "It's a disgrace, absolutely disgusting.

"He's only going to serve six months and then he'll be out.

"They have no idea what we've been through.

"David lived next door to us, and every time I look out of the window I can't help but think of him - and it breaks my heart."

Following the sentencing, in an emotional outburst, Mrs Ward turned to Thompson's family and said: "You've still got your lad, but I haven't got mine any more."

David Ward's brother, Kevin, also from Coxhoe, said: "Davie will be a big miss, he was a good worker and he was a good man.

"He (Thompson) has got 12 months for this. But, to be honest, it wouldn't matter if he got twelve years, because it's not going to bring Davie back."

The court heard how Mr Ward had set off for the horse fair with his son, also called Davie, and his close friend, Neville Morris.

Julian Smith, prosecuting, said: "They were making their way up to Appleby, like they had done each year for 20 years. It was their annual holiday."

At the time of the accident, which happened near Stainmore, Mr Ward was driving the lead caravan, with Mr Morris walking beside the other wagon, which was being driven by Mr Ward's son.

Thompson was travelling west in his Vauxhall Astra, from his home in Sunderland, to Penrith, where he worked at Cumbria Police headquarters in the IT department.

Thompson was travelling at 70mph prior to the accident, but witnesses say they saw no brake lights as his car crashed into the rear of Mr Morris' wagon.

The prosecution said Thompson would have had about 27 seconds between seeing the caravans from the top of the hill and colliding with them.

The crash threw Mr Morris and Mr Ward's son onto the grass verge, before the car hit the lead caravan, throwing Mr Ward against a wall, where he received fatal head injuries.

Immediately after the accident, Thompson said to Mr Morris: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I never saw you."

Sentencing, Judge Barbara Forrester acknowledged that Thompson had shown remorse for the accident, but said he still had not provided an explanation for why he failed to avoid it.

She said: "I am sure the consequences of this collision will remain with you for the rest of your life."

Thompson was also banned from driving for two years and will have to take an extended driving test before he can regain his licence.