A learner driver who killed a farmer by swerving and hitting him with his 4×4 has been jailed for five years.
Timothy Higgins, 22, of the Glade, Wyllie, was jailed for manslaughter at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, November 8.
He was also banned from driving for four and a half years and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170 upon release.
Higgins killed farmer Christopher Gadd, 48, after a row in the car park of the Sainsbury’s store in Pontllanfraith on March 4.
Higgins had been driving the blue Land Rover, which the CPS said he had used “as a weapon”, without a license or insurance.
Mr Gadd died just a day after his 48th birthday after being struck by the car.
Mr Gadd and his brother Paul were on a routine shopping trip to the store when the incident happened.
The court was told how Higgins “swerved” into Christopher Gadd after losing his temper after the car he was in was “blocked” by Mr Gadd’s car.
After showing Mr Gadd a v-sign during the row, the court heard how Higgins drove off to another part of the car park and Mr Gadd followed on foot.
Higgins said he had locked the doors of his Land Rover Freelander because he was “scared”.
Mr Gadd’s brother told the court he had then seen Higgins swerve, hitting his brother and sending him “flying”.
Moments after, Higgins had said: “My life is over. I’ve killed him, haven’t I?”
In police interviews, Higgins initially claimed he drove in a straight line, but later admitted that he did swerve.
However, the court was told how Higgins subsequently claimed the interview was not a true admission of what happened.
Following the guilty verdict on Tuesday, November 5, as Higgins looked at his family as he was being led away and said: “Can you believe that? That’s absolutely disgusting”.
Detective Inspector Ian Bartholomew said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Christopher Gadd.
“I would like to thank the family, witnesses and the wider community for their assistance during the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.”