A woman who killed a "kind and caring" motorcyclist after she "failed to notice him" while turning at traffic lights has been spared jail.
Leonard Royle, 70, died at the scene after Shayma Ahmed's Vauxhall Astra smashed into him "head-on" while he was riding along Manchester Road in Wilmslow. Mr Royle, who was known as 'Len' to friends as family, was heading in the opposite direction and was "clearly visible" at the time, police said.
At Chester Crown Court today (Tuesday), Ahmed, of Darras Road, Gorton, avoided jail as she was handed a suspended prison sentence.
READ MORE: Pedestrian dies after being hit by car in horror crash near school
The court heard how officers were called to the scene at around 9.35pm on July 26, 2021, following reports of a collision involving a silver Vauxhall Astra and an Indian Scout Bobber motorcycle.
The Vauxhall Astra, which was being driven by Ahmed, was travelling towards Wilmslow on Manchester Road, with the intention of turning right at the Dean Row Road traffic lights.
Mr Royle was riding in the opposite direction and was planning to go straight on at the lights. However, despite the fact he was clearly visible and in plain sight, Ahmed failed to notice him, according to Cheshire Police.
Instead of allowing him to pass, she collided head-on with Mr Royle’s bike, causing him serious injuries. Several people stopped to help Mr Royle but he died at the scene.
Ahmed, 36, has now been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.
A judge ordered her to complete 240 hours unpaid work and also banned her from driving for and 18 months. Ahmed must also pay £215 in fines and court costs.
Police Constable Liz Thompson, of Cheshire Police's Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a tragic but preventable collision caused by Ms Ahmed’s failure to check that the road was clear.
“As a result of that failure, a 70-year-old man has lost his life and a devoted wife of 40 years has lost her husband. The family of Len have had their lives totally torn apart and they will never be the same again.
“Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with great responsibility to act within the rules laid down when you pass your test. Our thoughts remain with Len’s family and friends at this time, who have been left devastated by this tragic incident.”
In a tribute issued following his death, Mr Royle's family said: “We are deeply broken by the tragic collision that has left us without Len, he was a kind caring man and loving husband to Christine, Len will be missed by all.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- 'Just stab him, we'll take it': Victim left with horror injuries after trio walk up to him and batter him
- Ugly scenes outside Old Trafford as Manchester United fans turn violent
- Pregnant Manchester City executive jailed for stealing £100,000 from the club to pay for her wedding
- 'One rule for us and another for them': Anger after GMP officer filmed 'using phone at the wheel'
- 'I’ve seen people kneecapped for not paying their debts' - Salfordians say Netflix hit is far from a 'Shameless rip-off'
