81-year-old sentenced after causing motorcyclist's death
64-year-old Nick Gilroy was killed on the 20th May 2023.
81-year-old William Beckett of Vernham Dean, Hampshire, was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months at York Crown Court on Friday 2 October for causing death by careless driving after pulling out from a side road and straight into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
He was also handed a six-month curfew, ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified from driving for three years.
The court heard that on Saturday 20 May 2023, 64 year-old Nick Gilroy was riding his motorcycle within the speed limit when Beckett emerged from a side road into his path.
Despite the victim taking evasive action and attempting to avoid a collision, he was struck by Beckett's vehicle and thrown from his motorcycle. He sustained serious injuries and died several weeks later. Mr Gilroy, who lived in the York area, had previously served in the RAF and completed a solo trip on his motorcycle throughout all the states in the USA.
Beckett denied causing death by careless driving and claimed he had stopped and looked in both directions before pulling out. He suggested that cyclists may have obscured his view and speculated that the victim had been the one at fault.
However, collision investigators concluded Beckett would have had a clear view of the approaching motorcycle for approximately nine seconds, equivalent to around 160 metres, before pulling out.
Following a trial at York Crown Court, a jury found Beckett guilty after just over an hour of deliberations.
The judge described Beckett as "self-centred" and "deceitful", stating he had shown "not one shred of remorse or feeling for the family" and had repeatedly sought to avoid responsibility despite overwhelming evidence that his driving had been careless.
Motorcyclists are recognised in the Highway Code as vulnerable road users and drivers are reminded to take extra care when emerging from junctions and side roads to ensure it is safe before proceeding.
Detective Constable Stephanie Palmer, of North Yorkshire Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This tragic case demonstrates the devastating consequences that can occur when drivers fail to take proper care at junctions. The victim was an experienced motorcyclist who was riding lawfully and within the speed limit.
"We would urge all drivers to take extra time to look carefully for vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians, particularly when emerging from side roads and junctions. Taking those few extra moments to ensure it is safe can help prevent further tragedies on our roads."