An Army captain's military career is in the balance after she was jailed for nine months for killing a Norfolk hitchhiker moments after using her mobile phone, a court heard.

Alison Dray, 30, from Kent, was driving a Mitsubishi 4x4 along the A1075 Watton-Thetford road near Wayland Woods, when she hit Ashley Taylor, from Watton, who was trying to hitch a lift to see friends.

The 32-year-old suffered a severe head injury and died at the scene.

Norwich Crown Court heard Dray had been using her phone 50 seconds before the crash and had been searching the Internet and had a screenshot of a hotel in Switzerland on her phone.

The collision prompted Norfolk police to warn of the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.

Christopher Morgan, prosecuting, said a police investigation showed that Dray, who is the only woman to complete a full tour of duty in Afghanistan defusing improvised bombs, had been using her mobile phone about 50 seconds before the collision which happened around 12.25pm on January 8 2014.

He said her phone records showed there was extensive use of her mobile phone and that she had searched the internet and had a screen shot of a hotel, in Switzerland.

He said at the crash scene Dray had told a witness: 'I did not see him.'

Dray admitted causing the death of Mr Taylor by dangerous driving.

Michael Clare, for Dray, said that she was full of remorse and her work defusing bombs had saved countless lives.

'The references speak of her humanity, bravery and courage. On a daily basis she is defusing bombs to protect other people.'

He stressed there was no evidence she was using her phone at the time of the crash, saying: 'At the time of the collision there is no evidence that she was using her phone.'

Jailing her and imposing a two year driving ban, Judge Anthony Bate said: 'You are a decorated soldier of previous exemplary character.

'You have served our country bravely and with distinction since being commissioned into the Royal Logistics Corps.'

He said he hoped after her release the Army board would be able to permit her to keep her commission.

After the case investigating officer PC Charlie Savage said: 'Once again this highlights the dangers of using a mobile phone.'

She said that Mr Taylor had lost his life by the actions of Dray: 'Her promising Army career now hangs in the balance all for a few seconds of inattention.'