THE mum of a man killed by a drink driver going the wrong way up the A13 has spoken of her disgust that her son’s killer will return home this week on day-release.

Njabulo Nyathi has served just 18 months of a five-year sentence after admitting killing 22-year-old Sam Matkin.

But Nyathi will come home this Friday on day-release from prison.

Sam’s mum Christine, 57, of Burrs Way, Corringham, said: “This is just another kick in the teeth for us. My family and I don’t get any day release from the pain he has caused.

“It just seems ridiculous, before you know it he will be being released for weekends and Christmas.

“It really has upset all the family just knowing he will be back in the area this Friday.”

Nyathi’s release forms part of his rehab ahead of a permanent release next summer.

The 47-year-old was jailed for five years at Basildon Crown Court in March 2008 after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. The Zimbabwean factory worker had been on a three-hour drinking binge in Basildon when he drove his Nissan X-trail in December 2006.

Nyathi was so drunk he joined the London-bound A13 on the exit slip road and began driving the wrong way up the dual carriageway.

Despite motorists trying to warn him, Nyathi continued and ploughed head on into Sam’s Ford Fiesta between the Five Bells roundabout and the Pitsea flyover.

The former Gable Hall School pupil died instantly.

Lynne McKay, of the Essex Probation Service, said day releases are decided by prison governors.

She added: “While there are various reasons for temporary release, the most common is to start the process of resettlement into the community.

“Conditions can be attached to this temporary licence, the most common being exclusion zones, to prevent victims or their families coming into contact with the perpetrator.”