A VAN driver has been jailed for mowing down a pensioner who was on his way to feed the ducks.

Frail Raymond Stenning was using his walking frame on his way to Chichester Canal when he was struck by a van driven by Maciej Dywan.

The van mounted the pavement, leaving the 71-year-old with head and hip injuries.

He died in hospital six days later.

Dyan, 40, of Sandringham Way in Bognor, told police he fell asleep at the wheel.

But witnesses said they had seen him driving aggressively and carrying out a dangerous overtake just before he lost control and hit Mr Stenning.

Police say he had been late getting home from a delivery round.

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and later admitted the charge at Portsmouth Crown Court, where he was jailed for four years, reduced from six years because of his guilty plea.

Tony Crisp from the Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the “tragic” case was caused by a combination of “fatigue and inpatience”. He said Dywan’s driving “fell far below the required standard.”

The incident happened on the B2145 Selsey Road, close to the junction with Orchardside at 10.50am on March 1 this year.

After the crash, Mr Stenning’s family said: “Ray was the most loving and caring husband, dad and granddad, who lived for his family. His death has had a massive impact not only on us as a family, but the whole community.

“Words cannot describe the traumatic way in which Ray passed away has affected us, and we all miss him deeply every day.”