A young woman who drove her Smart car through a red light at speed, hitting and killing a cyclist, has been jailed for 21 months.

Sobbing Kerry Smith, 24, who had no previous convictions and a clean driving licence, drove west along Talgarth Road at 45mph in the 30mph limit and failed to stop at the red light on the junction with Gliddon Road, prosecutor Charles Burton told Isleworth Crown Court.

"It was 9pm and the defendant failed to notice the lights were red and collided with cyclist Charlotte Morse, who was riding her bicycle from north to south across the junction with the lights at green in her favour," he said.

"The collision sent her flying on to the windscreen of the Smart car before landing on the road. She was pronounced dead by a helicopter doctor at 9.40pm," said counsel.

Ms Smith, who lives in Park View, Church Road, Brentford, admitted causing the death of Ms Morse of Churchfield Road, Acton, on October 3, last year.

But at the scene she claimed the light was green "and she continued to maintain that when interviewed by police," said counsel.

However, other drivers who stopped at the junction said the lights had been on red for at least 20 seconds when Smith approached.

Her counsel, Stephen Crouch, said no purpose would be served by sending her to prison. He said: "She has suffered genuine shock and remorse. She says she is sorry but recognises that is not enough."

Jailing the distraught young woman, Judge Usha Karu said: "Miss Morse was 27 years old and just beginning to make a life for herself. She was a much-loved member of her family and her loss has had a profound impact on her parents and siblings. Their pain will remain for the rest of their lives. Nothing can cure the family's grief. No one should compare or measure any sentence against the value of their loss.

"Motorists must realise that if they drive dangerously and kill someone they are in danger of a sentence of imprisonment. You too will have to live with the consequences of your actions."

Ms Smith was also banned from driving for three years and must take an extended driving test before returning to the road.

The dead woman's family, who were in court for the hearing, declined to comment.