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A van driver has been jailed for more than 11 years after he killed a married couple in a drunken hit and run.

Wendy Gay, 67, and David Gay, 58, were out walking when they were struck by 48-year-old driver Michael Saltmarsh in his white van.

The couple has been walking along Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly, at about 7.40pm on March 17 this year when Saltmarsh, of Station Terrace, Caerphilly, drove into them.

Saltmarsh appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday June 23 after previously admitting two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He also admitted charges of drink-driving and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

A previous hearing was told he had 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35.

Sergeant Lewys Davies, of Gwent Police, was the senior officer in the case.

He said: “This is a devastating case that has resulted in the needless loss of two lives.

“Saltmarsh’s reckless actions highlight the real dangers of irresponsible driving.

“There are no excuses for driving after consuming alcohol, think not only of yourself, but think of your family, think of your friends, think of your loved ones and most importantly think of those you could hurt and the lives you could change forever.”

Saltmarsh was sentenced to 11 years and four months in prison, and he was disqualified from driving for 14 years.