A soldier who made history when she became the first female bomb disposal expert to complete a tour of Afghanistan has been jailed for killing a hitch-hiker.

Captain Alison Dray, from Rochester, caused the death of Ashley Taylor when she ploughed into him while using her phone behind the wheel.

The highly-regarded servicewoman had been surfing the internet on her mobile when the crash happened in Norfolk.

Today, the 31-year-old was jailed for nine months at Norwich Crown Court after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

The judge was told Dray - who previously received a Queen's commendation for her work - killed unemployed Mr Taylor, 32, from Watton, Norfolk, on January 8 last year.

The 4x4 she was driving mounted the kerb and hit Mr Taylor, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dray was a Royal Logistics Corp member who disposed of at least 60 Taliban bombs during a seven-month tour of Afghanistan.

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