THE distraught widow of a Bournemouth grandad who died in a horrific hit-and-run crash has slammed the sentence given to the driver as "a joke."

Janet Mason said the trial of Antonio Lopez was "a farce" and added: "Are they saying that Colin's life amounted to nothing?"

Mr Mason, a 58-year-old refuse collector, died after being struck by a Ford Escort as he worked on Charminster Road in Bournemouth at 6am on December 21 last year.

Driver Antonio Lopez fled the scene and lied to police, claiming his car had been stolen. His car also had a number of defects, although these were not found to have contributed to the accident.

When he appeared in court last week, Lopez admitted failing to stop after an accident, failing to report it and three offences related to vehicle defects.

He was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work for the community, given nine penalty points and ordered to pay £43 costs.

Mrs Mason told the Daily Echo: "It seems to me that the outcome of the trial is a farce.

"Everyone was saying how sorry Mr Lopez is but what he feels is nothing to how we all feel.

"My grandchildren especially miss all he did for them, and the love he gave to both.

"I have had nearly 40 years of my life snatched away, all the plans and dreams shattered."

Mrs Mason, who attended the trial at Bournemouth magistrates' court, added: "The sentence is a joke, or are they saying that Colin's life amounted to nothing?"

Lopez, of Kemp Road, was sentenced by District Judge Roger House, who told him: "You are not charged with any element of bad driving at all - you panicked. It is very, very sad and very, very unfortunate."