The parents of a recovery driver have branded their son’s killer’s jail sentence as “disgusting”.

Lorry driver Dariusz Mrozek ploughed into Steven Godbold, 52, of Walderslade, as he stood on the hard shoulder just before Junction 4 of the M25 for Orpington last September.

The father-of-four died at the scene and Mrozek, 42, was arrested and eventually charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

But following a four-day trial at Woolwich Crown Court last week a jury found him not guilty of the offence.

He was instead sentenced to 22 months for causing death by careless driving, a charge he had previously admitted.

Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Godbold’s 82-year-old dad Ken, of Apsledene, Gravesend, said: “The whole family think the sentence is disgusting. The British justice system is all wrong.

"The police were convinced they would get him for dangerous driving so when the verdict was read out we were all gutted about it.

“All he got for killing Steven was 22 months and the judge said he’ll only do half.”

Mum Mavis, 80, said: “He was on the hard shoulder picking up a car and obviously this knocked him for six. He didn’t stand a chance.

“Even if he was convicted of dangerous driving he’d have only got two and a half years. The law is wrong.”

Mr Godbold, who was brought up in Walthamstow, lived in Walderslade with his partner and one-year-old daughter Olivia. He had seven grandchildren and was a keen Tottenham fan.

He previously lived in Strood and had only been working for recovery firm Dynes for three months when the accident happened.

Mrs Godbold said: “He was a coach driver for years and started working for Dynes because he wanted a bit more free time and some more money. This is what happened.”

Mrozek, of Admirals Way, Gravesend, was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended driving test after this time.

Investigating officer Detective Constable David Holmes said: “This was an incident which could have been avoided if Mrozek had been driving with the proper care and duty for which he should have been.

"He put the victim’s family through the ordeal of a trial and I’d like to commend their bravery throughout and I hope this outcome serves as a reminder to others to drive in a safe and sensible manner when getting behind the wheel of a car.”