Driver who performed illegal U-turn, seriously injuring motorcyclist, sentenced
He performed the illegal U-turn in his Ford Fiesta on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass
Last updated 5th May 2026
A driver who performed an illegal U-turn and collided with a motorcyclist, leaving him with multiple serious injuries, has been sentenced.
Finley Nottingham, 22, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving.
Lincoln Magistrates' Court heard how Nottingham performed the illegal U-turn in his Ford Fiesta on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass on 2 July 2025.
That was despite there being a no U-turn sign.
A Lincolnshire Polcie spokesperson said "Nottingham, who at the time lived in Fiskerton, was travelling along the Eastern bypass from the Washingborough roundabout towards the Greetwell roundabout, when he found that the road towards Fiskerton was closed due to roadworks.
"He therefore continued along the bypass towards the Wragby Road roundabout.
"On this stretch of the bypass there is a junction providing access on to Hawthorn Road towards Cherry Willingham which is only accessible from the southbound carriageway.
"However, as he passed this junction he commenced a U-turn in the road, ignoring a sign prohibiting such a manoeuvre, in an attempt to access Hawthorn Road, rather than continuing onwards to the Wragby Road roundabout."
He collided with a motorcyclist, Lewis Murray, now 24.
He suffered multiple fractures to his left arm, left shoulder, left wrist, left fingers and back.
Mr Murray had to undergo surgery and still can't work.
Nottingham, of Queens Road, Highfield, Sheffield has been handed the following sentence:
- a six-month custodial term, suspended for 12 months;
- 150 hours of unpaid work;
- £272 in court charges;
- an 18 month driving ban
Detective Constable Laura Alford said: "This collision was down to the selfish actions of Nottingham, who could not be bothered to travel the extra minute up to the roundabout to turn round. Instead, he undertook an illegal manoeuvre which has left Mr Murray with lifelong impacts.
"Nottingham had held his full licence for 22 months before this collision occurred. Yet in this time he has taken the active decision not to comply with the rules of the road with devastating consequences for the motorcyclist that he hit. Those rules are there for the protection of us all, not for optional compliance or the inconvenience of those who can’t be bothered to take an extra minute to drive safely."