The mother of a former soldier killed by a drink driver believes the drink drive limit should be zero.

And Aletia Pedelty says people convicted of crimes should serve their full sentences – not half as the driver who took her son’s life has done.

Today marks the fourth anniversary of former soldier Gary Pedelty’s death.

Aletia said: “The drink drive limit should now be zero. Alcohol affects people in different ways and some people can look drunk after just one.”

The driver responsible for Gary’s death was Meltham man Richard Mail who got behind the wheel after drinking five pints of Stella Artois in the village’s Waggon and Horses pub.

He was jailed for four years in January 2012 after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit. He was one and a half times over.

Gary, 24, was killed instantly when his Mazda 323 was struck by a Peugeot 206 driven by Mail on Huddersfield Road between Netherton and Meltham in November 2010. Mail was travelling at 75mph on the 60mph road at the time of the collision.

Road tragedy victim Gary Pedelty - dinner in his memory raised money to build this new wall for Helme churchyard

But Aletia said Mail was released from prison in January this year after serving just two years. He was banned from driving for three years.

She said: “We were very unhappy with the original sentence and that he was only given four years. It was just not enough and then he only served two. People who are convicted should serve what they are given. If they are jailed for four years then that is what they should serve.”

And the pain of losing Gary is not easing for those he left behind.

Aletia added: “As a family we have struggled with our loss of a fantastic son and brother. This day four years ago was the first day of our ongoing nightmare and we want to thank all who attend the memorial dinners each year for their support and kind words. Our son will never be forgotten – he lives on in his brothers, Jason and Jordan.”

Memorial fundraising dinners are held every year at Durker Roods Hotel in Meltham organised by Sean Hoare from the Victoria Park pub in Meltham

Gary had served in the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and had seen gruelling action in Iraq.

He was well known in Meltham as a member of Meltham All Blacks rugby league team alongside his brother Jason.

Gary is laid to rest with his sister, Sherri, who died from cot death at just four months old.

Gary, who was 6ft 8ins, was working as a plasterer alongside dad Kevin at the time leading up to his death and Kevin has done voluntary work in the graveyard, cutting down trees and laying a new concrete path.

Road tragedy victim Gary Pedelty - dinner in his memory raised money to buy these gates for Helme churchyard