Driver, 81, sentenced after causing death of motorcyclist in Yorkshire crash

An 81-year-old driver has been given a suspended prison sentence after causing the death of an experienced motorcyclist by pulling out of a side road into his path.

On Saturday (May 20), 2023, 64-year-old Nick Gilroy was riding his motorcycle within the speed limit when William Beckett pulled out from a side road into his path.

Mr Gilroy took evasive action and attempted to avoid a crash but was struck by Beckett's vehicle and thrown from his motorcycle.

He suffered serious injuries and died several weeks later.

Mr Gilroy, who lived in the York area, had previously served in the RAF and had completed a solo motorcycle trip through all the states in the USA.

Beckett, of Vernham Dean, Hampshire, denied causing death by careless driving. He claimed he had stopped and looked in both directions before pulling out and suggested cyclists may have obscured his view. He also speculated that Mr Gilroy had been at fault.

However, collision investigators concluded that 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 of causing death by careless driving after just over an hour of deliberations.

Beckett was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday (Oct 2) to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He was also given a six-month curfew, ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for three years.

The judge described Beckett as "self-centred" and "deceitful", saying 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.

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."