A DRIVER who caused a crash which killed a Machynlleth councillor was under the influence of drink and drugs, a court heard.

Simon Gilyeat veered his Mazda car across the carriageway smashing into a Skoda being driven by Sylvia Rowlands on the A470 at Commins Coch.

Mrs Rowlands, 70, who was serving office as the town’s deputy mayor died from multiple injuries, while her son, Mark, and his partner Kylie Williams suffered serious injuries in the smash on September 23 last year.

Jailing Gilyeat for three years, Judge Timothy Petts told him he had “destroyed a family” through his driving which was “significantly impaired”.

Prosecutor David Mainstone told Mold Crown Court that Gilyeat was drinking while at a mountain biking event on the day of the crash and after having an argument with a friend he drove off.

Accident investigator PC Gary Rees established that his Mazda crossed the central markings of the road and was involved in a head-on collision with Mrs Rowlands’ vehicle which had moved into a layby to try and avoid the collision.

Police found a can of lager and an empty pint glass in Gilyeat’s car and a later search uncovered cannabis and a white powder.

Blood tests revealed an alcohol reading of 134 mg; the legal limit is 80. He was also found to be over the drug/drive limit for cocaine.

Mrs Rowlands’ husband, David, said in a victim impact statement that his wife was well known for her work as a town councillor and her passing had greatly affected her family.

Gilyeat, 32, of Rickards Street, Graig, Pontypridd, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Defence barrister Simon Morgan said that Gilyeat had suffered injuries himself in the collision.

“He (Gilyeat) made a full and frank admission of his guilt and expressed shame and remorse,” said the barrister.