THE heartbroken family of a woman killed in a hit-and-run smash has failed in a bid to get a tougher sentence for the driver responsible.

Barbara Cyfrowicz was hit by a car on Boxing Day 2014 as she walked over a zebra crossing in Frinton Road, near her Kirby Cross home.

Furious family members have now been informed their appeal to get the driver locked up has failed.

Cyril Fayers, 90, who was driving the car, was eventually charged with causing death by careless driving, despite lying to police officers in an attempt to escape justice.

But he was allowed to walk free by a judge after being given a suspended prison sentence.

Barbara’s family were left devastated by the “joke” sentence and vowed to appeal.

Husband Graham Bristow and son James both send heart-wrenching personal statements to the Attorney General to try force a review of the sentence.

They described watching Barbara die from her injuries, including horrific head trauma.

Graham’s statement said: “At one point she flat-lined and started to go blue – she managed to clear her own airways but we were told she was just drowning in her own blood .

“Since the accident, we no longer sleep in the house. The house has lost its love as the heart has been taken away.

“Our son is treating it like a shrine. All the bereavement cards are still out. He has still not moved anything of his mother’s.”

It added: “When you are considering the sentencing of the culprit, we would like him to be shown the same compassion and sympathy which he showed my wife – which was absolutely none.

“I have spoken to an eye-witness who informed me that not once did the brake lights come on. Not when he struck her on the crossing which knocked her up in the air, or when she hit the bonnet and her head went through the windscreen.

“He constantly lied and it took 361 days before he finally admitted his guilt.”

Fayers was sentenced to eight months in prison for causing death by careless driving, and another 12 months for perverting the course of justice.

But the sentence was suspended for two years, allowing the pensioner to walk free from court.

Barbara and Graham’s son James said in his statement: “My life has been turned upside down.

She was my rock.

“She was very caring, funny, charismatic with an infectious laugh.

“She was hugely popular within the community. She cared about everyone, particularly the elderly.

“She would cook meals from her own cupboard if she knew people did not have enough food.

“She would shop and drop in to see people if they were lonely and just needed a friendly face and some kindness.”

It added: “When she died, she only left the house to go and feed an elderly neighbour’s cat. She never came back. I couldn’t tell her I loved her.

“Instead I watched my mum die – it took eight hours and there was nothing I could do.

“I hope the man that killed my mum gets what he deserves.

“My mum did not deserve to die and just be left on the side of the road like a piece of garbage.”

Despite the heartbreaking pleas, the case will not go appeal.

Graham received a letter directly from Solicitor General Robert Buckland.

He personally reviewed the case and found the sentence lenient, but not enough for the Court of Appeal to overrule the judge.