An "insistently lawless" lorry driver has been jailed for three and a half years for causing the death of a cyclist.

Barry Meyer, 53, of Aubrey Road, Walthamstow, was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court yesterday (May 14) for causing the "needless and utterly tragic death" of cyclist Alan Neve.

He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.

The incident took place in the morning rush-hour in Holborn, central London, on July 15 2013.

Meyer pleaded guilty last month to causing death by careless driving, while two offences of driving while uninsured and unlicensed were allowed to lie on file.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Daniel Worsley said Meyer - who has previous driving convictions including drink-driving - "crushed" 54-year-old Mr Neve with both the front and back wheels of the lorry, resulting in "almost instant death".

One witness to the incident required psychiatric treatment and cannot return to the scene.

Distressing CCTV footage of the incident, in which Meyer drove through a red light, was shown to the court during the hearing.

Judge Worsley said: "Mr Neve had lived almost or just over half his life. He was the finest husband, father and family man, and plainly, as you have heard, in every way the finest and most decent of men."

Allison Hunter, for the prosecution, had read out a statement on behalf of Mr Neve's widow, Penelope Johnson, who was in court.

Ms Johnson said in the statement: "I want to start by telling you that I loved Alan with all my heart and that he made me happier than anyone else in the world."

She said they "lived life to the full", adding: "I felt like the luckiest woman in the world to have him as my husband."

Judge Worsley said the harm caused by Meyer is "devastating beyond all measure" and told him: "Nothing I can do or say can bring back Mr Neve or undo the horror your carelessness caused."

Handing down the sentence of three and a half years, the judge said his history showed a "wretched disregard for the safety of road users".

He added: "You have been insistently lawless and selfish in your regard for other road users."

The judge said there is no better adjective to describe Meyer's driving than "cavalier".

Neil Corre, mitigating, said Meyer has expressed genuine remorse.

London Cycling Campaign welcomed the jail term and 10-year driving ban, adding: "We believe, however, that a lifetime driving ban is essential to keep such dangerous drivers off the road.

"He should never have been allowed near a large lorry, let alone drive it recklessly through central London."