A MAN who drove head-on into a mother's car killing her at the scene and leaving her child with life-changing injuries has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Gillian Bamber, 38, was driving her two children home from school on the A49 at Dinmore Hill when the fatal crash happened at 3.30pm on November 14.

Shaun Casey Jones was travelling in the opposite direction towards Hereford following a dental appointment and after feeling unwell couldn't recall the events leading up to the head-on crash.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to death by careless driving.

Peter Grice, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court, said that Jones, 37, of Wellington, near Hereford, had crossed the solid double white line at the point of the collision on an apex left hand bend.

"There is nothing Mrs Bamber could have done to avoid the collision," he said.

Mrs Bamber's eight-year-old daughter, who was a rear seat passenger, suffered injuries to her head and other severe injuries.

The court heard that she had been left with life-changing injuries as a result of the collision and is likely to need long term care for the rest of her life.

Tony Bamber, Gillian's ex-husband, gave up work to look after his daughter during her lengthy spell in hospital in Surrey.

Mrs Bamber’s 14-year-old daughter, the front seat passenger, also suffered serious injuries including a broken sternum, broken collar bone and severe bruising to her abdomen.

Carole Fulcher, said that her sister's death had left a 'massive void in their lives'.

Jones, who suffered minor cuts, was arrested and on interview said that he had been suffering pain in his mouth and had attended the dentist in Leominster for an emergency procedure on an abscess hours before the crash.

He was given antibiotics and on leaving the dentist felt sick. Jones got into the van and had to pull over to vomit before continuing his journey.

"Jones said that he could remember starting to drive up the hill in the left hand lane and the next thing he remembered was being stationary with the airbags deployed but has no recollection of the incident," added Mr Grice.

"He hadn't slept well the night before due to his terrible dental problem. The driving was not far short of dangerous."

Jones expressed his sorrow at the scene stating that he felt dizzy and sick while driving and should have pulled over a long time ago. At the scene he said: 'I have killed somebody with my own selfishness.'

Robert Duval, mitigating, said that Jones accepts responsibility for the accident and the consequences that followed from it.

"He was completely overcome with grief as the consequences were devastating," said Mr Duval.

"He was extremely frank and honest in his answers on interview. He immediately expressed responsibility within seconds of the accident, repeating his distress many times while on his knees and in tears.

"He was not driving under influence of alcohol or drugs and there is no evidence of great speed. It was caused by his inattention in a period of time measurable in a few seconds.

"To say he is sorry is a profound understatement, he is thoroughly remorseful for these events that will never leave him.

"He is terrified of going to prison."

Jones was described as a generous and kind man who was the primary carer for his mother.

On sentencing, Judge Nicholas Cole said: "The impact has been enormous and no words could express the feeling of loss for the family.

"There is seriously culpable behaviour on your part as you chose to drive while significantly impaired through your ill health.

"You were clearly in no fit state to drive. No sentence can reflect the consequence of your actions."

Jones was also disqualified from driving for four years and eight months.