A man who killed a “talented mother and wife” after falling asleep at the wheel of his van has been jailed for four years.

Shanmugarasa Vinayagasivampillai, of Meadway, Surbiton, hit Louisa Gammie from Worcester Park while she was out jogging in Old Malden Lane on the morning of November 8.

Surrey Comet:

Mrs Gammie, the mother of a 20-month-old child, died in hospital a day later from a serious head injury.

Vinayagasivampillai pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in April and was sentenced today in Guildford Crown Court.

April 17 2015: Van driver admits killing mother of two as she jogged down country lane

The court heard how Vinayagasivampillai, a Sri Lankan refugee who came to the UK in 2000, had been working a 12-hour shift in Sainsbury's the day before the accident and was doing a favour for his uncle when he fell asleep at the wheel.

Prosecuting Rossano Scamardella told the court how, even after his arrest, Vinayagasivampillai, 34, was seen falling asleep by police in the car and in his cell.

Mr Scamardella said: "It seems he just could not keep his eyes open."

The court also heard how he had two previous driving convictions for drink-driving and driving while banned.

The defence argued that Vinayagasivampillai had been working hard to provide for his family, rarely getting more than four hours’ sleep a night while working two supermarket jobs and had been "deeply affected" by the accident.

Defence counsel Nick Barraclough said his client knew "nothing that could be said at this stage that would make this tragedy any better for the family.

"He is humbled and sincerely apologies.

"He has not driven since the accident and it is his intention to never drive again."

Judge Christopher Critchlow said he was prepared to accept that Vinayagasivampillai was someone who has suffered "sleeplessness and nightmares" because of his actions, but that would not bring Mrs Gammie back to her family.

He said: “[This case] shows how fleeting life can be, how dangerous a motorcar can be.

"You did have previous convictions that showed an attitude to a motorcar that does not stand you in good light.

"You admitted your guilt at the earliest opportunity and for that the law gives you credit.

"There are family members out there to which you have provided significant financial support.

"You are not someone who went out to cause harm but you should have been nowhere near a motorcar.

"Nothing this court can say can bring back to her family a talented young mother."

Vinayagasivampillai also received a six-year driving ban and will have to retake his driving test before he is allowed to get back behind the wheel of a car.

Detective Sergeant Gary Wright from Surrey Police's collision investigation unit said: "This was a tragic incident which resulted in a woman losing her life and our thoughts and sympathies remain with her family and friends.

"I hope the sentencing help them bring closure to what has been an incredibly difficult time.

"Shamugarasa Vinayagasivampillai's reckless actions by getting behind the wheel that morning when he was extremely tired had catastrophic consequences which Louisa Gammie's family will have to live with for the rest of their lives."