The heartbroken widow of a man killed by a careless driver in a head-on crash has paid tribute to her “soul mate” – a kind and gentle man who was her “rock”.

Eastern Daily Press: Jo Smyth giving a statement outside Ipswich Crown Court after the sentencing of Raimondas Saveikis, who caused the death of her husband Mark Smyth on October 9 by careless driving when he was over the drink-drive limit.Jo Smyth giving a statement outside Ipswich Crown Court after the sentencing of Raimondas Saveikis, who caused the death of her husband Mark Smyth on October 9 by careless driving when he was over the drink-drive limit. (Image: Archant)

Raimondas Saveikis, of Canons Walk, Thetford, was jailed for four years and eight months at Ipswich Crown Court today after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

HisFord Mondeo was involved in a head-on crash with a Fiat Panda driven by Mark Smyth, 46, from Brandon on October 9.

Mr Smyth died at the scene.

In a victim statement read out to the court during Saveikis’ sentencing, Jo Smyth revealed she met husband Mark on a blind date back in March 2004.

Eastern Daily Press: Raimondas Saveikis was driving a Ford Mondeo that collided with Mark Smyth's Fiat PandaRaimondas Saveikis was driving a Ford Mondeo that collided with Mark Smyth's Fiat Panda (Image: Suffolk Police)

It was love at first sight – and the pair were engaged just eight weeks later.

“I knew from the first moment I saw him I was going to get married to this man,” she said.

“We made a commitment to each other we would spend the rest of our lives together.”

The couple lived in Ipswich for a short time before moving back to their “dream home” in Brandon – and loved each other unconditionally.

Eastern Daily Press: Raimondas Saveikis entering Ipswich Crown Court before the sentencingRaimondas Saveikis entering Ipswich Crown Court before the sentencing (Image: Archant)

Mark, who had been a project manager at BT for 15 years, had recently got a job as a delivery driver for Tesco in Thetford so he could project manage the renovation of their home.

Paying further tribute to her husband, who loved sports cars, his new Fiat Panda and their dog Hugo, Mrs Smyth said they were “soul mates, best friends, lovers and each other’s rocks”.

She added: “He [Mark] was 46 which makes me a 43-year-old widow and I will never have our baby.

“We would have called her Lily May.

“Since that day I have not felt able to be left alone. A family member is staying with me 24 hours a day.

“I exist in this real life nightmare.

“My heart is broken and has shattered into a million pieces.

Addressing Saveikis in the dock, Mrs Smyth asked him to take “full responsibility” for the choices he made that day.

She said: “I have no anger in my heart towards the other driver. However, the other driver had choices whether to drive that car or not. For whatever reason he decided to get in that car and drive but in that choice he has killed my husband.

“I ask that he takes full responsibility for the choices he made.”