A VAN driver responsible for killing a cyclist whilst texting at the wheel has lost his appeal to have his sentence reduced.

Christopher Gard, 30, lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal over his sentence, after he was jailed for nine years at Winchester Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving.

Lee Martin, 48, from Basingstoke, was taking part in a cycling event when he was struck by Gard’s van.

Gard, of Linnet Way, Alton, had eight previous convictions for using a phone at the wheel and was not banned from driving at any of his prior hearings.

Gard struck Mr Martin on August 12, 2015 on the A31 near Bentley - just six weeks after convincing magistrates to let him keep his driving license.

At the time, Mr Martin’s brother Darrell, 47, slammed magistrates for dishing out “light” punishments on Gard, saying they “failed my brother and failed my family”.

Gard was also banned from driving for 14-and-a-half years when he was jailed on September 5.