Updated 16:34 - 09 October 2008
A TAXI driver who killed a cyclist in a callous hit-and-run has this afternoon been jailed for seven years.
Simon Gatier was found guilty of causing the death of Neil Smith by careless driving while intoxicated through drink or drugs.
A jury of seven men and five women cleared the 40-year-old of the more serious charge of death by dangerous driving.
Judge John Plumstead said Gatier was "a thoughtless, cowardly man who was driving too quickly".
The judge said: "He behaved in a callous way and showed no remorse by driving off."
Mr Smith, a 43-year-old electrician, was knocked off his bike in Bridge Road East, WGC, on the evening of November 30 last year.
He died in hospital the following morning.
Gatier, who has a previous conviction for drink-driving and worked for WGC-based A and A Travel for 20 years, did not give himself up to police until three days afterwards.
He denied to the court he had been drunk before the accident.
Judge Plumstead said Gatier, of Salisbury Gardens, WGC, was no longer fit to hold a taxi licence.
As he sent him down, the judge added: "I hope you now begin to think of people other than yourself.
