INSPECTOR Steve Cox, the head of roads policing at Wiltshire Police, which led the investigation, said the sentence reflected both the seriousness of the crimes and the anguish Paula Barnes has put her victim’s family through.

He told the Adver in November that Barnes’ friends and family did not know where she could be after she failed to attend court, but officers suspected she could be in Holland as she and her husband had friends here.

Working with partner agencies, they used her bank statements and other information to complete a detailed lifestyle map which, coupled with her physical description, helped Dutch police track her down.

In a statement after the sentencing yesterday, he said: “This case has been a long and complex one after Barnes tried to evade justice by fleeing to Holland.

“The fact she was caught, arrested, extradited and has been sentenced is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Wiltshire Police serious collision investigation team.

“Barnes has proved to be a callous and manipulative woman who thought she was above the law.

“We hope that Diane’s family can feel justice has finally been served.”