Grandmother jailed for cyclist's death

A Kapiti Coast grandmother, whose drunk driving caused the death of a cyclist, was jailed for two years and two months when she appeared in Palmerston North District Court today.

Alison Mary Downer, 71, had earlier admitted causing the death of father-of-two Frank van Kampen on State Highway 1 north of Waikanae last September.

Judge Les Atkins also disqualified her from driving for eight years and ordered her to pay reparation of $30,000 to Mr van Kampen's family.

A police prosecutor told Levin District Court that Downer had several times crossed the centre line and veered back, before hitting Mr van Kampen from behind as he cycled along the cycleway.

Downer had two previous drink driving convictions.

- NZPA