THE man responsible for killing Chard youngster Jake Gilmore in a hit-and-run incident was jailed for three years this morning (September 9).

Raymond Isherwood, 53, of Bennett Street, Bath, admitted all charges relating to the death of Jake, who was 19.

Isherwood appeared at Bristol Crown Court and admitted causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, perverting the course of justice and cultivation of cannabis.

Jake’s family said: ” There can be no doubt the loss of our eldest son Jake, so suddenly and pointlessly has been the worst thing that could possible happen to us. His loss has inflicted emotional wounds from which we do not believe we will ever recover. The space he has left can never be filled.

“We were advised that the sentence given to the driver is unlikely to reflect the enormous loss we now have to try and live with, but it is a relief that this process has now been brought to a conclusion.

Chard & Ilminster News:

Raymond Isherwood.

“We would like to thank the family and friends who have supported us, and who continue to do so. We would like to extend this to our family liaison officers, who have guided us through this, and the investigating team who have pursued this case.”

Former Holyrood Academy student Jake suffered head injuries when he was knocked from his bike in Midland Bridge Road, Bath, at about 9.30pm on Saturday, November 16, last year.

He was taken to the Royal United Hospital but later died.

Jake had been living in Bath after leaving home three months before he was killed. He was working as a barman in the city.

His parents Toby and Sue Gilmore said: “We had tried to teach him what life had to offer, and equipped him to take advantage of it. He was still young enough to perceive life as a great adventure, and we were looking forward to sharing it with him.

“Jake was not the only cyclist to die on Britain’s roads last year, and this year’s total is creeping up at the same rate as all other years. It is ghastly for us to know that there are families all over the country waking up to the same never-ending torture that we have to endure, every day. So, as a family that cycles, we would like to take this moment to urge all road users to take more care, to pay attention, to slow down, to think.”