Bernie McDonagh, of Middle Ground, Wheatley, has been jailed for seven years for causing the death of a 28-year-old man on the M40.

McDonagh, 24, admitted causing death by careless driving, driving while disqualified, possession of cannabis and arson at a previous appearance at Oxford Crown Court.

He also admitted having no insurance and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

Today he was jailed for seven years.

The charges followed the death of Ross Shears, 28, of East Sussex, following a collision on the motorway between Milton Common and Lewknor in July last year.

In a statement, issued through police, Mr Shears's family said: "Ross was a big man with a big heart and a personality to match.

"He was a loving husband, a wonderful son and a brilliant brother, No matter what sentence was handed down today it would never have been long enough for we have a life sentence of grieving for Ross.

"He was taken from us far too early because of the actions of a careless driver on the M40 on 12 July 2008.

"We would like to thanks the Thames Valley Air Ambulance for all their efforts in trying to save Ross’s life at the crash scene. They do a superb job and have to rely on public donations to operate.

"We would also like to thank Thames Valley Police who did a brilliant job in bringing together all the information on what happened that day and the Crown Prosecution Service for putting the case together."