‘I CANNOT DESCRIBE THE GRIEF AND HEARTACHE’

A CYCLIST killed when a distracted driver swerved into him was a devoted husband, a loving son and brother, and a role model to two sons.

Paul Garrett was 55 when he died after being hit by Eurico Costa, who deliberately veered on to the wrong side of the road to scare his girlfriend during an argument.

In a victim impact statement, his wife Karen Garrett said: “I am totally broken.”

Newport Crown Court heard Mr Garrett had been working for Sports Wales for 32 years, having previously worked in the Navy.

Mrs Garrett said: “On October 6, I was told the devastating and heartbreaking news that my husband of 36 years was tragically taken from us in a road traffic accident.”

She described him as “my rock” while she was caring for her parents, who had dementia.

Mrs Garrett said “it was our time to live again” after her parents passed away, but added: “That new life was taken away from us.”

The court heard Mr Garrett was a devoted father, role model and “guiding light” to their two sons.

His wife said: “I cannot even begin to describe the grief and heartache and stress this has caused for us as a family.

“Never would I have thought I would lose the love of my life in such a cruel and tragic way.

“Every time I close my eyes at night, the last thing I see is the vision I was left with, which was identifying my husband’s body.

“A part of me feels guilty and heartbroken that my husband died alone without me by his side.

“As a family, we try to be strong and keep going but life will never be the same again. It has left a huge hole in our hearts. Nothing will ever fill the hole.”

His mother Elizabeth Garrett described him as a “keen sportsman”.

She said: “As his parents, we miss him greatly. Knowing we will never see him again breaks our hearts.”

His brother Tony Garrett added: “It is very difficult to express in words the sheer pain and devastation. He was taken away from us in the most needless and cruel way.”