A MAN has been jailed for reversing into a grandmother from Southampton and killing her.

Tomasz Fojcik has today been sentenced to 14 months in prison for causing the death of Jean Mallett by careless driving.

Mrs Mallett was crossing Cannon Street in Shirley when Fojcik reversed into her.

The 63-year-old from Coxford suffered serious head injuries and died nine weeks later in hospital.

Her family have paid tribute to Mrs Mallett, who was known as Jeanie to friends and family, and described her as "he most selfless, inspirational and unique person that we had the pleasure to share our lives with".

Thirty-two year-old Fojcik, from Percy Road, reversed into Mrs Mallett at 2.10pm on April 2 last year.

He was interviewed by police and subsequently arrested.

Today at Southampton Crown Court he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving a vehicle uninsured and withholding information to obtain motor insurance.

He was also banned from driving for three years.

In a statement Mrs Mallett's family said: “Jean Ann Mallett - Jeanie to her loved ones and friends - was the most selfless, inspirational and unique person that we had the pleasure to share our lives with.

“We leave here today as a family that continues the life sentence of the loss of a beautiful lady who has paid the ultimate price of one person’s stupidity and ignorance.

“The sentence that has been passed will have limited impact or comfort to us as we have to spend the rest of our lives living without her.

“Had he not made the fateful decision to drive a car that day, this never would have happened and for that reason alone we will never forgive him.”

Following the sentencing today, investigating officer PC Lucy Hawkins said: “Our thought go out to Jeanie’s family and friends who have been devastated by their loss, which could have been avoided if, as Judge Ralls remarked, Mr Fojcik had paid better attention to what was going on around him.”