"NO sentence will ever measure up to the crime committed which resulted in the death of our beautiful Rebecca," say the family of Llanberis mum and nurse Rebecca Louise Edwards after the man responsible for her death was jailed this week.

The family of Rebecca, who died in a crash on the A499 just before Christmas, have released a statement after Osian Hicks-Thomas, of West End, Criccieth was sent to prison for six years.

Hicks Thomas pleaded guilty to causing the death of 34-year-old Rebecca Louise, by dangerous driving on Friday, December 21.

He was also disqualified from driving for 13 years and six months.

Rebecca Louise was pronounced dead at the scene following the collision on the A499 in Penrhos, Pwlheli.

After fleeing the scene, Hicks-Thomas was later arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving, drug driving, failing to stop following a collision and failing to report an accident.

Rebecca’s family have issued the following statement:

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the North Wales Police for their hard work and support during this horrendous ordeal.

“In our eyes no sentence will ever measure up to the crime committed which resulted in the death of our beautiful Rebecca.

“However, such a short sentence for taking a life, and depriving a child of her mother, is an insult to Rebecca’s memory and has left us with a strong sense of injustice.

"This was not an accident but a despicable act of a selfish man who cruelly stole her future."

“After serving his short time in prison he will walk away a free man, while we as a family are sentenced to a lifetime of heartbreak, emptiness and loss without Rebecca. For us our lives will never be the same.

“We would ask that we are allowed the time and privacy to grieve our loss during this difficult time."

North Wales Police Sergeant Meurig Jones of the Roads Policing Unit said:

Our heartfelt condolences remain with the family and friends of Rebecca Louise at this incredibly difficult time.

“Osian Hicks-Thomas showed no regards for anybody else that night and his reckless actions tore an innocent woman away from her family and friends, and the fact that he fled the scene after fatally injuring Rebecca is appalling.

“Although he now has to face up to his actions no sentence can compensate for the loss of life and the distress caused.

"I hope the sentence handed down by the court sends a stark warning to anyone who takes the risk by driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

"This tragic collision occurred whilst we were heavily promoting our Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Drive campaign whereby we issued several warnings regarding the potential consequences of driving whilst under the influence. Osian Hicks-Thomas disregarded all of these with catastrophic results.

"North Wales Police would like to thank the public for their assistance during this investigation."