A GERMAN trucker who caused the death of a van driver has been sentenced to four years imprisonment in his absence after failing to attend his trial.

Herbert Glaesser, who was also banned from driving for six years, was making his first trip to the UK when he stopped in the fast lane of the M26, mistaking it for the hard shoulder.

Roberto Gonzalez, from Hothfield, near Ashford, was fatally injured when he crashed into the trailer in the darkness. His two passengers were seriously hurt.

A judge said the effect of what the 54-year-old lorry driver did "is inadequately described as devastating".

He added that he could not recall hearing a victim impact statement so moving and eloquent of the anguish, hopelessness, emptiness and despair to the victim’s family.

Glaesser, from Lichensee, was due to stand trial in March, but it was adjourned when he did not appear and wrote to the court to say he would be attending a course.

He was again absent on Monday and Judge Andrew Patience, QC, ruled that the trial could go ahead without him or any legal representation.

Glaesser had denied causing death by dangerous driving but was convicted by a jury.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that he was driving from Dover, travelling on the M20. When he reached an unlit section of the M26 near Wrotham, he stopped in the fast lane for 90-115 seconds to look at his map.

Peter Forbes, prosecuting, said it was while Glaesser was moving slowly across the lane, with his trailer at 90 degrees, that the Volkswagen van ploughed into it.

The 42-year-old father, and workmates Darryl Lavender and Darren Verkuilen, were on their way to Horsham in west Sussex to carry out rail maintenance.

Mr Gonzalez suffered extensive liver damage, as well as other injuries, and died 38 days later in hospital.

Mr Lavender’s injuries included a shattered right thigh and Mr Verkuilen was left with a dislocated hip and three broken ribs.

"What could be more dangerous than stopping a large vehicle on the fast lane of a motorway at night, being stationary and subsequently moving across two lanes, giving no opportunity for other vehicles proceeding on that unlit section of the road to stop?" asked Mr Forbes.