THE family of a well-loved grandmother who died when she was struck by a drunk-driver have said they feel “completely let down” by her killer's two-year prison sentence.

Patricia Eustace, 71, of Maple Springs, Waltham Abbey, was pronounced dead at the scene after Patricia Lawlor crashed into her outside the Merry Fiddlers Pub last year when she lost control of her car while intoxicated.

Mrs Eustace's daughter Tracy Bull said: “It was completely and utterly disappointing. They might as well have just given her a pat on the back. The whole criminal justice system makes a big thing out of drink driving. With the seriousness of this crime she's got two years and she'll be out in one. I feel absolutely let down.

“She's shown no remorse at all. Her counsellor harped on about her loss- not being able to look after her grandchildren or see her daughter. Her daughter's lucky she's still got a mother. My dad and the family have lost our mum for ever.”

On the fatal day, in November last year, Mrs Eustace had just stepped out of the pub, in Fiddler's Hamlet, for a cigarette break having gone there for a meal with her family.

Lawlor careered off the road into her, before crashing into the pub. Her grandson was thrown from the vehicle during the incident although he was unharmed.

Mrs Eustace's widower Brian, who had been with her on the day, said: “It's been very upsetting and worrying for us. It's all such a long time- 11 months to the day. It will help now it's over, but I was married to her for 50 years and I know I won't get her back.

“I'm not happy with the sentence. Two years is not enough. They go on about drink-driving and she'll be out in a year.”

His son Ray said: “We know for a fact this morning she is waking up in prison, which is no more than she deserves, but we feel it doesn't really serve as a deterrent for her actions. I could see why she was smiling as she was led from court.”

As well as her prison sentence, Lawlor 52, of Fiddler's Hamlet, Epping, was disqualified from driving for ten years at Chelmsford Crown Court.

She had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

Acting district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Olivia Gooding said: “We are pleased this case has come to a successful conclusion, and we hope that today’s sentence will provide some comfort to the family and friends of Mrs Eustace who was tragically killed as a result of this incident.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this difficult time.”