FORMER paratrooper Ken Kiley, 75, is survived by wife Marion and sons Adam and Matthew.

The Swindon man's family have released a tribute following the sentencing of Dario Carboni, the man now convicted of Mr Kiley's manslaughter. 

The Kiley family said: “Almost a year after Ken’s death, his loss still leaves an enormous hole in the lives of our family and friends.

“We remember him as a kind, warm and devoted husband and father. He loved spending time with his wife Marion, family and friends, reading history and teaching German classes.

“He spent much of his life in service to his country, first in Northern Ireland where he met his wife Marion and later in Belize and then Hannover in Germany where his eldest son, Matthew was born.

“Ken had recently supported his wife during a serious illness, and they were looking forward to continuing to enjoy their well-earned retirement traveling the world with friends and spending time with his family.

“Ken’s death has devastated his wife, family and friends and has left an enormous hole in all our lives, which we are still coming to terms with, both in practical and emotional terms.

“Our mother, now in her late 70s and coping with Parkinson disease has spent the last 6 months trying to re-build her life without Ken.

“The ongoing trial and attendance at court has added to the challenges our family has faced and has meant we have been unable to fully put this horrific incident to rest. We now hope to be able to do so.

“We feel this sentence is deserved and justified. Our family and especially our husband and father deserved justice and this sentence has gone some way to achieve this.

“The defendant needs this sentence to make him realise the huge and permanent impact he has had on so many lives through his reckless decisions and actions.

“We also believe this is needed to highlight the seriousness of this crime and hopefully discourage the re-occurrence of this kind of horrific incident.”