[visordown.com] - Driver who killed motorcyclist escapes jail

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Diana Burgess


A DRIVER who killed a motorcyclist and mother-of-three by careless driving has escaped jail.

Steven Moore, 43, was cleared by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.

Moore, of Bristol, collided with Diana Burgess, 40, when his car drifted into the opposite carriageway as he slowed to turn into a truck-stop café on the A46 near Evesham in October last year, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Peter Grice said Mrs Burgess, of Evesham, was “there to be seen” on a green Kawasaki.

Mr Grice said: "Anyone executing a manoeuvre across a junction like that would be failing in their competence as a driver if they did not pay attention to the road ahead. Driving conditions were essentially perfect.

“We say he was driving dangerously.”

Judge Robert Juckes QC said it could never be understood why Moore failed to see Mrs Burgess but his remorse was genuine. The judge imposed a two-year community order with 200 hours’ unpaid work.

He banned Moore from driving for two years, ordered him to retake a test and imposed £535 court costs.

Arguing against custody, Nicholas Berry, defending, said Moore was a single father with a 17-tear-old son who suffered from learning difficulties.

Moore told the court: "I did look at the road ahead. I’m not saying I looked for long enough. I glanced.

“It would be foolish to cross a carriageway of a 60mph road without looking first, but I know I didn’t look well enough. I didn’t see the bike coming. I just can’t believe I have been involved in something like this."

Mrs Burgess’ three daughters were aged five, three and two when she died.

Earlier this week, Visordown reported how a motorcyclist had been jailed for 20 months causing the death by careless driving of his pillion, mum-of-three Ailson Wilson.



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