A lorry driver has been sentenced to four years in prison after hitting a cyclist while speeding on the wrong side of the road.

Justyn Ransley, 37, of Cunningham Close, Shoebury, was sentenced yesterday after he crashed into Stephen Wightwick, 48, while he was riding his bike.

Mr Wighwick died as a result of the crash.

Ransley admitted to causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop and failing to report a road traffic collision.

He has also been disqualified from driving for four years.

Ransley hit Mr Wightwick while he was driving 43mph in a 30mph speed limit.

He did not stop after the crash on December 1 2016 while he was driving on the wrong side of the road.

Police later found the lorry in a compound in Basildon.

Ransley upon his arrest said that he had not seen Mr Wightwick when he hit him and failed to stop.

Detective Sergeant Peter Swan of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “He hit Stephen Wightwick and didn’t stop, leaving him lying seriously injured on the pavement alongside his bike and the wing mirror from the lorry.

“Although he returned a few minutes later he didn’t try to help Mr Wightwick or call the emergency services.

“Instead, he continued with his deliveries and used his phone to try and find replacement parts for the lorry, later telling his employers he’d hit a tree."

Ransley will have to take an extended retest when he is released from prison.

He was also given full credit when he was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court for his early guilty plea.

Ransley used the road where he hit Mr Wightwick on a daily basis in his work as a delivery driver.

It was found from CCTV evidence that he always would drive onto the opposite side of the road when driving through it.

DS Swan said: “On arrest, Ransley tried to claim black ice caused him to be on the wrong side of the road and he was unaware he’d hit a cyclist. 

“It was only after we showed him CCTV footage from the previous two weeks, where he performed the same manoeuvre every time he drove that route and of him returning to the scene that Ransley was left with no option but to admit his guilt."

Following Ransley's sentencing, DS Swan thanked Mr Wightwick's family for their help during their time of loss.

He said: “I would like to thank the investigation team and also pay tribute to Mr Wightwick’s family who have shown great courage and dignity throughout this process. 

“I hope this sentence brings them some closure. 

“They can now begin to face life ahead without a much loved son, husband, father and brother.

"My thoughts are with them.”