The family of a dad-of-two who died in a crash have spoken of their anger after his killer was allowed to walk free from court.

Gravesend man Peter Ross had been facing a jail sentence of up to five years after being convicted of causing the death of Gillingham man Lloyd Donovan by dangerous driving at a trial in June.

But today the 38-year-old electrician was given a two-year suspended sentence, prompting angry scenes at Maidstone Crown Court.

During his trial, Ross, of Old Road West, Gravesend, had told the court he had "done nothing wrong". But Judge Charles Gratwicke heard he now accepts responsibility for the fatal crash on October 30, 2019.

He had cut a corner on the Medway City Estate and struck the oncoming motorcyclist.

The moment was caught on CCTV, with Ross's Audi shown making a right hand turn from Anthony's Way into Chaucer Close.

The court heard that the speed of Mr Donovan's bike "was a contributory factor" in the crash, but that Ross turned right across Mr Donovan's path causing the collision which threw Mr Donovan from the machine.

A post-mortem revealed he died as a result of his injuries, which included a traumatic brain injury.

Ross, who also has a previous conviction for drink driving, was given a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years and banned from driving for three years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £2,800 court costs.

Speaking after the sentence Mr Donovan's stepfather Brian Bradford said the decision had been hard to understand.

"On the day of the guilty verdict we felt like it was at least going to be a sentence that would relate to the crime," he said.

"We're quite shocked now. When we walked out of the court case everyone on our side was pleased with the result, and the barrister's opinion was that he could expect a custodial sentence between two and five years.

"To be told today he's got two years suspended and a three-year driving ban doesn't relate."

Mr Donovan's wife Nicki had early watched the hearing from home via video link, and reacted tearfully when the sentence was passed.

Mr Bradford explained the loss of Mr Donovan had been devastating for her.

"Lloyd was married to Nic four years when he died and would have been married six years this year," he said. "They were trying for children. She's obviously very devastated and so is his mother. He had two children from a previous relationship and they've obviously lost their father. It's a long line of people that have been affected by Lloyd's loss.

"We got on very well and it's upset me tremendously."

Mr Bradford described his stepson, who worked as an HGV driver, as being "as good as gold," adding: "He was well liked by everyone. He was a nice genuine guy.

"Lloyd's sister is obviously very upset by the sentence too. She was there today with her partner and there were friends there as well.

"Whatever happens we're not going to get Lloyd back. I just want to feel that there's been some justice, and I just don't feel that has been delivered."

"If he had got three years I think that would have been light. I'm not a legal man, so I can't say what I think he should have got.

"Whatever happens we're not going to get Lloyd back. I just want to feel that there's been some justice, and I just don't feel that has been delivered."

In the court room itself the sentencing had prompted emotional scenes.

As members of the family and Mrs Donovan realised father-of-two Ross had escaped with a suspended sentence, Mrs Donovan vanished from the screen and others walked out of court, with one member shouting: "Absolutely disgusting."

Another shouted: "Scumbag little ****".

Father-of-two Ross was taken out of the back of the court by security staff.

Judge Gratwicke said he had caused a "brief but obvious danger" by not waiting and cutting the corner.

"There is no sentence that I can impose that will be able to fill the painful void in the lives of his family."

Mrs Donovan had broken down and cried during the hearing and wasn't able to read to the judge the Victim Personal Statement she had prepared outlining the effects the tragedy had on her family.

Defence barrister Christopher Martin said Ross had quit his job after his conviction to take full-time care of his children.

He added that he had done a number of charity events to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

Mr Martin said Ross had no intention of hurting anyone when he set out to drive that day.

Additional reporting by Chris Hunter

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