A “DISGUSTING” driver who killed a woman in a head-on crash while overtaking has been jailed.

Peter Waterman sped at 70mph to get past the cars on a bend on the A272 Cuckfield by-pass.

The road is a single carriageway, with a speed limit of 60mph.

His Mercedes failed to complete the manoeuvre and hit a Toyota being driven by Linda Tolbrook, from Haywards Heath.

She was given “little or no time to react” and was killed at the scene, aged 39.

Witnesses described how Waterman’s driving was “mindless”, “disgusting” and “very dangerous”.

At Lewes Crown Court the 62-year-old admitted dangerous driving after changing his plea on the day of trial.

Police investigating the crash labelled him “irresponsible”.

He was jailed for two years and two months.

After the case, Linda’s family said: “Linda was an effervescent, smiley and kind spirited person who gave love with every breath, supported you, whether a stranger, friend or family.

“She meant so much to us all; the lady who could light-up the room without saying a word.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us, cried with us, and laughed with us.

“Thank you to the emergency services and especially the police for their hard work seeing this through.

“It has been a tough time for all of our friends and family and we are happy that this stage has come to a close.

“We all now have the chance to move on, and together look forward to a brighter future, keeping Linda close to our hearts and living life to the full as our darling Linda would have.”

Lewes Crown Court heard that the incident happened at 6.30pm on November 30, 2017.

Waterman, of St George’s Lane, Hurstpierpoint, was himself seriously injured in the crash and taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

He was reported for the offence of dangerous driving, and Judge Christine Henson QC said he had increased his speed to 70mph to overtake, despite the 60mph speed limit.

She said that Linda would have had “little or no time to react” and the collision was “not something she could have seen or avoided”.

The judge banned Waterman from driving for four years and one month.

PC Doug Park said: “This is a tragic case in which an innocent driver lost her life due to the irresponsible actions of Waterman. We hope this case highlights the risks of dangerous driving, and the fact that such risks are clearly not worth taking.”