A model banned from driving after she was involved in a fatal crash with a motorcyclist has avoided jail despite ignoring the ban.

Lauren Coppen, 22, had been warned she could face a jail term after she collided with Jason Harding, 19, and then flouted the resulting six-month driving ban.

Magistrates have now given her an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

They also ordered Coppen to do 100 hours’ unpaid community service as well as imposing a year-long driving ban.

The family of Mr Harding believe the sentence is too lenient.

Karen Bernard, Mr Harding’s aunt, said: “She got more of a sentence this time than she did originally but it’s still not enough in my eyes and the family’s.

“I spoke to Jason’s dad, my brother, and he’s in pieces. I phoned him for a reaction but he said, ‘What can you say?’ His son was taken and whatever she gets, it’s not going to be enough because it’s not going to bring Jason back.”

Mr Harding, from Eastergate, near Fontwell, had been riding his motorbike in Walberton, near Barnham, in March 2007 when Coppen’s car collided into him.

He later died of his injuries.

She was convicted of driving without due care and attention and was given a six-month ban by Chichester magistrates in April.

But Coppen was caught by police driving on July 23.

Single mother Coppen, of Kilwich Close, Bognor, admitted driving her Citroen C3 when she appeared at Chichester Magistrates’ Court in August.

Gaynor Byng, prosecuting, told Tuesday’s sentencing hearing at the court that Coppen was seen driving in Kilwich Road.

Officers followed her to Yapton Road, Chichester, after recognising the vehicle from a photograph.

Miss Byng said: “She admitted to officers she was disqualified until October this year but said she had an appeal going on. The officers found this appeal had been stopped in June.”

Coppen admitted driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Sharon Waggett, defending, said she relied on the car to get to her part-time job as an administrator and was suffering severe depression.