A MOTORIST who caused the deaths of two cyclists by dangerous driving has been jailed for 11 years.

Colin Smith, from Sankey Bridges, was locked up at Liverpool Crown Court today, Thursday, after being found guilty of causing the deaths of 39-year-old Tony Cope and 45-year-old Clare Killey by dangerous driving.

Mr Cope and Ms Killey were killed during a crash involving three vehicles in Speke on February 28 2019.

The driver of one of the cars, the 23-year-old defendant initially made off from the scene on Hale Drive before returning.

Smith, of Lavender Gardens, tested positive for having cannabis in his system at the roadside.

Both victims left behind families, including children.

In a statement, Mr Cope’s partner said that she was ‘existing, not living in a kind of limbo’ since her ‘loving and caring’ partner’s death.

She added: “Losing Tony has left a massive hole in our lives – he was everything to us.

“He is my last thought before I go to sleep and my first when I wake up.

“It still feels surreal, as this is the kind of thing that happens to other people.

“I still have to catch my breath when I realise he’s gone and I can’t see him or hold him.”

Clare Killey’s widower described how his family was ‘damaged beyond full repair forever’, adding: “I hope the defendant feels remorse.

“I know he must because he’s human – I refuse to feel hatred towards him because it will only grow down towards my kids, and I’m not having that.

“Nothing can change what happened or bring back my amazing wife, whose job and personality was all about helping people and improving the lives of other families.

“I just hope he feels it in every decision he makes and lives his life in accordance with those feelings in Clare’s name.”

Smith was also convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, four counts of fraud, receiving stolen goods and drug driving by a jury after a trial and handed a 10-and-a-half year driving ban.

Following his sentencing, inspector Stuart McIver – of Merseyside Police’s roads policing unit – said: "No sentence can repair the devastation of what happened, but we hope that today's result can at least provide some comfort to the family and friends of the victims – who have shown great bravery and strength through the trial.

“Smith has been left in no doubt about the consequences of his reckless actions, which he can now reflect on while serving significant jail time.

“Driving while under the influence of drugs and driving dangerously can have fatal consequences, and I hope this shows others that they will be put before the courts and prosecuted it they are found guilty of similar offences.

“Our priority is to keep our communities safe and to prosecute any driver who puts the lives of others at risk.

“Every fatal collision impacts upon the lives of so many people, and we’re committed to reducing such incidents and putting those who drive dangerously before the courts.”