THE family of a Newport man who died after being struck by a car have started a petition calling for motorists who cause deaths or injuries on the roads to face tougher sentences.

Gareth Evans, 34, of Llanthewy Road, died after being seriously injured in the collision on the Queensway on April 30.

Mr Evans' family said they were "disgusted" that the driver of the car, heroin addict Ross Williams, of St Woolos Place, Newport, was jailed for just nine months at Cardiff crown court in October.

Mr Evans' parents, Alan and Janet, have now set up a petition calling for the jail term to be increased and have circulated copies in pubs across the city centre, as well as collecting signatures at a special tribute night held in their son's memory. Several hundred signatures have been collected in just a few days.

Gareth Evans was a popular doorman at several pubs in Newport and was affectionately known as a "gentle giant."

The Evans' campaign follows a report published on November 1 in which a group of MPs led by veteran Labour backbencher Gwyneth Dunwoody accused law enforcers of "going soft" on road safety.

They argue that motorists who cause deaths and injuries through negligence face far more lenient sentences than if a similar offence was committed by the general public.

Mr Evans said: "We are amazed how popular Gareth was. It has come as a bit of a shock to see so many people here.

"We can't come to terms with his death at all. We were starting to get over it a little bit but then the sentence knocked us back again.

"We were absolutely disgusted that he only got nine months for what he did that night."

After hitting Gareth Evans, Williams drove away from the scene and later set fire to the car.

Williams pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop at an accident, failing to report an accident within 24 hours and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The teenager was also jailed for three years for drug offences.

At the inquest into Mr Evans' death in October, Gwent coroner David Bowen said Williams' actions were "callous".