A DRIVER who killed a cyclist after hitting him with a van has been jailed.

Paul Goody, of Irvine’s Fintry Place, struck 68-year-old George O’Hara when he overtook him in a Vauxhall Movano van on the A78 near Warrix Interchange in July 2015.

Mr O’Hara, from Prestwick, was riding his bike on the road and suffered serious head injuries as a result of the collision.

He was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow but later died.

Goody, 42, previously admitted causing the granddad’s death by dangerous driving at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

He returned to the dock last week to face sentencing from presiding Sheriff Shirley Foran who jailed him for six months.

Following his death last year, Mr O’Hara’s grief-stricken relatives paid a heartfelt tribute to him.

In a statement, they said: “George, a much loved husband, dad and granddad, will be sorely missed by his devastated family.

“George was a recognised published author and an accomplished cyclist.

“He enjoyed racing and riding his bike for over 50 years and achieved many race victories, some at national level.

“He is admired in the cycling community for holding the record for cycling from Glasgow to Oban and back in under nine hours which stood for 18 years.”