A LORRY driver who smashed into the rear of a council truck, killing its driver, has been jailed for 18 months.

But the dead man's family said they do not bear any malice or grudge against Andrew Ellis over the tragedy which killed former firefighter Bob Murray.

Ellis, 39, of Ensbury Avenue, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, was convicted of causing the death of the popular 66-year-old by dangerous driving but because of the time he has spent on remand, he is likely to be released from prison in around 10 days.

The accident happened shortly after 5.30am on October 3, 2003, when Mr Murray had stopped his New Forest council truck on the Lyndhurst to Ashurst Bridge section of the A35 to enable colleague Alan Amey to pick up a discarded fast food carton lying on the verge.

Seconds later Ellis, who was driving his firm's multidrop 7.5-tonne vegetable delivery lorry, crashed into the rear of his truck.

The prosecution alleged Ellis was driving 10mph over the speed limit for his vehicle and had more than 40 metres to see the "conspicuously visible" bright yellow truck.

Mr Amey, who walked into Southampton Crown Court with the aid of a stick, was seriously injured.

Ellis said he could not remember anything about the crash and did not give evidence in the trial at Southampton Crown Court.

Passing sentence, Judge Christopher Leigh QC said: "A sentence of imprisonment is inevitable but any sentence I pass will inevitably be seen as inadequate by those who have a lost one."

Disqualifying him from driving for four years and ordering him to take an extended re-test, the judge accepted Ellis had also been deeply affected.

During the trial, defence barrister Robert Griffiths read a psychologist's report in which Ellis described being preoccupied with his victim's death, especially at Christmas and birthdays.

After the hearing, Mr Murray's widow Megan released a statement on behalf of her family.

Thanking the police, she said: "We do want to emphasise that we do not bear any malice or grudge towards Andrew Ellis. It is through my faith in God that I have been able to forgive him for his actions.

"Bob was such a support as a husband, father and friend. He made an impact on all those whose lives he touched."