A CARELESS motorist who killed a soldier’s wife through dangerous driving has been jailed.

Stephen Ronald Dudley failed to secure a 66kg generator to his flatbed truck when travelling to Brighton in August 2016.

While driving through a level crossing on the A265 in High Street, Etchingham, the load fell off the truck and on to Army soldier Rob Beeney and tragically killing his wife Emma, 40.

The couple were walking along the road with their dog when the generator fell off the Ford Transit.

Rob, 44, was seriously injured when the generator struck him.

Dudley, a 44-year-old fencer from Ashford, Kent, pleaded not guilty to the charges of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

He claimed it was often the practice to load items without restraints.

Dudley tried to state the weight of some loads is usually sufficient to prevent them shifting or breaking away.

However, the court heard it is the driver’s responsibility to safely secure the load under Highway Code rules.

CCTV images of the load were captured from a petrol station where Dudley had stopped to get fuel before the incident.

They show the generator left clearly unsecured in the back of the truck, alongside a number of wheelbarrows.

A jury found Dudley guilty of both counts after his three-day trial at Lewes Crown Court, which concluded on Thursday.

They returned a majority verdict of 10-2.

Judge Guy Anthony sentenced Dudley to four years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Dudley was given two years for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

Judge Anthony also disqualified Dudley from driving for seven years.

Following the trial, Sergeant Clare Kenward, of Sussex Police’s serious collisions investigation unit, passed her condolences to Emma and Rob’s family.

She said: “Our thoughts and sympathy are very much with Emma and Rob’s family at this time.”

Sgt Kenward condemned Dudley’s failure to secure the generator, branding his actions as showing a “lack of care” and disregard for the safety of others.

“The decision Stephen Dudley took not to secure a generator on the vehicle that he was driving had tragic consequences,” said Sgt Kenward.

“His lack of care and disregard for the safety of others resulted in Emma’s death and serious injury to her husband Rob.

“Just a few moments spent securing the load would have prevented this avoidable tragedy.”