John Crew: Car spun out of control

Crew, whose wife collapsed as he was sent to prison, now faces an immediate discharge from the army.

He is one of the army's top weapons instructors.

Judge John Curran said: "Cases like this are the most difficult and distressing to face as a judge as nothing can repair the grief, devastation and loss felt by the family."

He added that on our increasingly crowded roads there was a growing need for care by drivers and those who took risks by driving too fast had to face the consequences.

Crew was also banned from driving for two years.

Prosecutor Trevor Davies said: "Crew and his wife had recently bought a new puppy and were rushing home to feed it when the accident happened."

Puppy

"Crew lost control of his car and the most likely cause was excessive speed on the wet road."

"The reason for Crew driving so fast was his concern to get home to feed the puppy. That was what was on his mind that day."

The accident happened on an accident blackspot on the A470 near the Storey Arms in the Brecon Beacons.

Crew and his wife had been to a DIY store to buy a gate to keep the puppy out of the kitchen after it burnt its nose on the oven.

Crew told how he wanted to get back to feed the puppy.

He said : "We had a routine but if we did not get there in time the puppy had to wait."

Wheelchair

When asked if the fatal accident was caused by driver error, Crew replied: "Possibly."

Leanne's father David gave evidence in a wheelchair as a result of the injuries in the crash last September.

He said: "I tried to brake but the car slid sideways into them.

Mr Corbett is now waiting for a replacement hip and pelvis.

His wife, Helen, son Brett and Leanne were pulled from the wreckage by passers-by.

Crew, who is now based at Warminster, Wiltshire, denied causing Leanne's death by dangerous driving.