Tributes paid to motorcyclist, Matthew Burdikin, following fatal crash
The drink-driver who killed him has been sentenced in court
A man described as “much loved” has been remembered following a fatal road collision that led to a drink-driver being sentenced in court.
Matthew Burdikin, 38, from Hastings, was riding his Honda motorcycle along the A21 near Robertsbridge on the evening of 10 October 2024 when the crash occurred.
At around 8pm, a Ford Transit travelling in the opposite direction crossed into his lane, resulting in a head-on collision.
Emergency services attended the scene, but despite their efforts, Matthew was pronounced dead.
The van driver, 33-year-old Lee Hatfield from St Leonards, was found to be over the legal alcohol limit at the time. A roadside breath test showed he had 54 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath—well above the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Hatfield was arrested at the scene and later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, as well as causing death while exceeding the legal alcohol limit. He chose not to answer questions during his police interview but subsequently admitted to both offences in court.
During sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday 7 April, Hatfield received a prison term of five years and two months. The sentence had been reduced from a longer term due to his early guilty plea. He was also banned from driving for seven years.
The case has prompted renewed calls for awareness around the dangers of drink-driving, as friends and family continue to pay tribute to Matthew’s life.
Addressing Hatfield at sentencing, His Honour Judge Huseyin said:
“The ripples have spread out from your decision to drive whilst tired and over the limit for alcohol, you were not able to keep concentration. You have a problem with alcohol and you’ve got a problem with drinking appropriately. Alcohol creates a hazard and in this case, a deadly hazard.
“You have crossed over into the opposite carriageway, not once but three times, the first two times you corrected it. You were on the wrong side of the road for six to eight seconds, Mr Burdikin was in view, extremely well-lit and riding appropriately. He could take no evasive action, he had no chance of avoiding you; no chance of surviving the impact from your vehicle.
“The man who died at your hands was a really good man and a good role model, he was working hard to provide a good future for his children. His eldest daughter has lost her dad and the man who she regarded as her best friend. His children have lost their father, their sole support, his youngest two have gone into care, and have been split up from each other.”
Matthew’s family issued the following tribute to him:
“When Matthew died, a darkness descended on our family and we will never be able to fill the space he left behind. It not only touched our lives but like ripples on a pond, the sadness spread to people all over who knew him.
“He was a loving father and a gentle soul who believed in family. He was funny and a natural mimic who could charm the birds from the trees. We still find it hard to believe he has gone.
“Matthew was a much loved son, father, brother and fiancé to Selina. Today we have justice for Matthew. We would like to thank Sussex Police for their work bringing this to trial and particularly to our Police Liaison Officer Rowan Carter for all her support and updates.”
Investigating officer Tudor Wells, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “I’d like to commend Matthew’s family for the strength and resilience they have shown throughout this investigation, and I hope they can take some solace in the defendant’s sentence.
“Nobody sets out on their journey intent on killing someone on the road. But the stark reality is: drink and drug-driving destroys lives.
“We will continue to educate the public around the devastating consequences of drink and drug-driving, and crack down on those who make the conscious decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.”