HE was a loving husband who cared for his ill wife.

But John Holmes’ life ended when he was hit by a speeding driver as he walked his two rescue dogs.

Now the driver has been jailed for 21 months after knocking down and killing the pensioner.

Eleazer Lawrence hit 75-year-old Mr Holmes, of Brighouse, who was walking his two rescue dogs on a bright Sunday afternoon.

A court heard that the Huddersfield man was driving at twice the legal speed limit.

Mr Holmes, who was described as fit and healthy, was returning home with his two pets last July when he tried to cross Bradford Road, Brighouse, and was struck by Eleazer Lawrence’s car which was travelling at double the 30mph speed limit.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that Mr Holmes, who was the sole carer for his dementia-suffering wife Maureen, had almost reached a pedestrian refuge when he was hit, suffering multiple injuries.

One of Mr Holmes’ dogs was also killed in the collision.

Lawrence, who had been to a nearby fast food restaurant with his girlfriend and two children, slammed on his brakes after seeing Mr Holmes step into the road.

But the court heard that his vehicle skidded for nearly 60 metres before striking the pensioner.

Prosecutor John Bull told the court that an investigator had concluded that had Lawrence been driving at 54mph or less the collision could have been avoided.