Alfred Post, 28, from Bolsward, Holland, had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal driving limit at the time of the accident, according to police.

Karen White: Died instantly

However, he escaped the maximum £2,000 fine or two-year jail term after a judge in Larnaca accepted mitigating arguments that his actions were an error of judgement.

Judge Tefkros Economou said: "The tragic results are a fact but the events do not suggest a case of negligent disregard. On the contrary, it's a case of bad judgement and a momentary lapse of judgement."

Collision

Mrs White, 32, from Bitterne, Southampton, died instantly when Post's jet-ski crashed into the one driven by her husband Greg, 25. She was riding pillion at the time.

The accident on 6 October happened off the coast of the resort of Ayia Napa. Neither Post nor the victim's husband were injured.

Alfred Post: Failed breath test

State prosecutor Mimis Avraamides told the court that Post smashed into the English couple's jet-ski while it was stationary.

"Greg White stopped his jet-ski to wipe water from his eyes and when he looked up he saw the accused driving towards him from a distance of 35 metres.

Mr White tried to manoeuvre his jet-ski to avoid a collision but did not manage to do so," he said.

Before passing sentence Judge Economou attacked what he saw as a dangerous lack of controls on the use of jet-skis. "It is putting tourists' lives at risk," he said.