A heartbroken wife voiced her anger when the driver who caused the crash that killed her husband was jailed for two years.

Andrew Howe, 42, of Brook Street, Hastings, died instantly when his motorbike was in collision with a car driven by Michael Thompson at Bexhill in August last year.

Thompson, who admitted a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, had been attempting to overtake another motorist who had cut him up a few minutes before at traffic lights when he crashed into Mr Howe, who was travelling in the opposite direction.

Gillian Howe, who had been married for 11 years, called out from the public gallery at Hove Crown Court to protest at the length of the prison term as Thompson, 34, of Warrior Gardens, St Leonards, was sentenced.

She said her husband, a successful businessman and keen sailor, had served in the Falklands conflict and Thompson, who was also banned from driving for four years, should have been given a longer term.

After the hearing, Mrs Howe said: "It is not long enough. He would probably have got more for shoplifting from a supermarket."

Mr Howe was driving home from work on his Yamaha 600 motorbike along the A259 when the accident happened.

Sarah Thorne, prosecuting, told the court how Thompson had become angry and agitated when the driver of a Mazda had cut in front of him at a set of traffic lights.

Witnesses told how the two cars sped away towards Little Common at speeds estimated at up to 70mph. As Thompson, who was driving a Honda, attempted to overtake the Mazda he crashed into Mr Howe.

An investigation by police showed both the Honda and the Mazda had been involved in the collision.

The Mazda sped off and the driver has not been traced.

Thompson was seriously injured in the crash and spent more than seven weeks in hospital.

Inspector Natalie Carron, of Bexhill Police, appealed for anyone with information about the driver of the other vehicle to contact Bexhill traffic police on 0845 6070999.