THE WIDOW of a cyclist mowed down by a speeding drug driver has spoken of how their love proved people wrong.

Janice Colley was given the heartbreaking news that her husband Antoney had been killed while riding on the Coombe Valley Road A2690 in Bexhill.

The pair had met when Janice went on holiday to Gambia in 2003, and struck up a friendship with singer Antoney.

They later wed, and Antoney trained to work as a security guard for bars and pubs in Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill.

He also worked as a guard at Lewes and Hove Crown Courts.

The Argus:

But on May 26 last year he was riding on the Coombe Valley Road when he was hit by Mathew Gardiner driving at 100mph.

Antoney, known for being “Mr Safety” while riding his bike, was killed instantly after returning home from a night shift.

Read more on this story: Drug driver killed cyclist in 100mph horror crash

The incident at 6.15am happened on a clear, dry day with no visibility problems.

At Lewes Crown Court, Gardiner, of Preston Road, Bexhill, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Mrs Colley said: “When I heard a knock on the door, my life changed forever.

The Argus:

“When the two officers asked to come inside I knew he was dead. I felt numb, I was devastated.

“My last words to him were ‘take care, I will see you in the morning’.

“I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. I couldn’t see his body because it was not viewable.

“I had to break the news to his family in Gambia about how someone had decided to behave so irresponsibly and dangerously. What right did you have to get in that car?”

Gardiner was given a 13-year sentence which included seven years and six months for causing death by dangerous driving, three years for assault, and a further three years on licence.

The Argus:

She said she faced prejudice from people who claimed Antoney only married her for a work permit and right to live in the UK, while other claimed she was on the “rebound” from her ex husband.

Janice said: “Our first couple of years together were difficult. Antoney found it hard to adapt to the weather and culture.

Read more on this story: Tributes to cyclist Antoney Colley killed in horror crash

“At times he suffered racist abuse, there weren’t many black people living in Bexhill, and he did various jobs to earn money.

“He had a hard life as a child and was mistreated, he was unable to read or write.

“But working on the doors for pubs and bars he started to feel more settled and secure. As a result our relationship got better and we had a happy life.

“We proved people wrong who said our relationship would never last.”