THE WIDOW of a cyclist whose death was caused by a dangerous driver says she feels "cheated" to have lost her popular and loving husband.

Mark Allen, 43, from Manor Park, Duffryn, Newport, was cycling on the A48 near Castleton when he was hit by Cardiff businessman Ronald Behnan.

Yesterday, at Cardiff crown court, Behnan, 66, from Northam Avenue, Llanrumney, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Allen's death by dangerous driving on May 27 last year.

After the hearing, Mr Allen's widow Jean paid tribute to the father of a grown-up son and her husband for 18 years.

Mrs Allen, who praised the police and Crown Prosecution Service for keeping the family informed during the case, said: "Mark was fun-loving. He loved his life, family and friends.

"Everybody in the street loved him. I feel sad and lonely without him and cheated.

"There are so many people in this world who are scum and then you've got a hard-working man who loved his family and he's just been taken away.

"I hope he (Behnan) gets what he deserves. He just drove into the back of Mark and he seems to have no explanation. So what's to stop him doing it again?

"He would be jailed forever if I had my way. I don't think he should be allowed to drive again."

She said her husband was a keen cyclist and keep-fit enthusiast and former rugby player.

A pipe-fitter originally from Caerphilly, Mr Allen had worked in South Africa and Angola.

Behnan had been due to go on trial for killing Mr Allen but yesterday changed his plea to guilty.

Mr Allen died almost immediately after the collision from head injuries, brain damage and a broken neck.

At Cardiff crown court yesterday, prosecutor Ieuan Morris said of Behnan, who had been driving his Volvo S40, "a competent, careful driver would have seen the cyclist and taken such action as to avoid a collision."

When police arrived, Behnan told them: "I may have blacked out or dozed off".

A lorry driver saw Behnan behind Mr Allen before the cyclist and cycle were thrown into the air "for no reason".

Sentence was adjourned for reports. Behnan was released on bail. Hugh Wallace, mitigating, said: "He employs 11 people and needs to put his house in order."