Driver spared jail over biker's death

Defendant sobs as court hears of 'lapse of concentration'

A DRIVER has been spared jail for causing the death of a motorcyclist by careless driving.

Earlier this week, in an emotionally-charged courtroom hearing, Liverpool crown court was told how Paul Chester’s lapse of concentration cost the life of motorcyclist Anthony Cave, 40, as the driver crossed a junction while driving to work on June 3rd last year.

Mr Cave collided with Chester’s Vauxhall Zafira and was pronounced dead later that day from multiple injuries.

Judge David Aubrey QC said: "You will have to carry the responsibility for the rest of your life.

"Mr Cave had a full life ahead of him. He was a loving son, a loving partner and a loving father. He was kind and compassionate."

CCTV footage of the crash showed Chester failed to stop at the give way junction when the accident occurred.

Eric Lamb, defending, said: "This was a misjudgement on the part of the defendant that he will regret for the rest of his life."

"He is totally and critically aware of the devastating impact there has been by that error of judgement."

Chester repeatedly broke down and sobbed during the hearing.

The judge imposed a 12-month community order, ordered Chester to do 250 hours unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.