Man jailed over biker's crash death

A man has been jailed for 10 months for causing the death of a motorbike rider in a crash and lying about being insured.

Gregory Newcombe, 26, died from catastrophic pelvic and groin injuries when his Harley-Davidson was struck by a Ford Fiesta that had pulled out of a junction in Sinks Lane, on the A684, near Bedale on 10 July 2022.

Cameron Ward, 30, of Oak Drive, in Sowerby, admitted causing death by careless driving, causing death while driving a vehicle while unlicenced or insured and perverting the course of justice.

Judge Simon Hickey said Mr Newcombe had “everything to live for” as he sentenced Ward at York Crown Court.

“Nothing I say or do in this court will lessen the grief of the family, as the dignity shown by the family cannot be measured by a court of law," he said.

“Mr Newcombe had everything to live for and it is all gone now.

“He loved his Harley Davidson and never drove it in any bad weather.”

He noted that witness Rachel Wrightson had been driving behind Ward when she saw him pull out of the junction.

Judge Hickey told Ward: “On that day, you had gone out to get some more items for Sunday lunch.

“At the junction, there was a clear view to both the left and right and even Ms Wrightson thought, ‘surely not’ as you then pulled out into the path of his bike.

“For some reason, Ms Wrightson could see the bike but you missed it. He had no chance.”

The court heard that Ms Wrightson phoned the police at 14:33 BST, but Mr Newcombe, who worked as a lorry driver and was from Romanby, Northallerton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutor Eddison Flint said Ward told police he did not see the bike as the sun was in his eyes, but it was later proven that “the sun was over his right shoulder and not in a position to dazzle him.”

The crash resulted in the front wheel of the motorbike coming off and Mr Newcombe being thrown off it.

Ward had stopped and went to Mr Newcombe, but Mr Flint said just three minutes after the collision the defendant took out temporary motor insurance on his phone so it would look like he was covered before the collision.

Sean Smith, for the defence, asked the judge to consider that Ward's partner had medical problems.

“Not a day goes by that he doesn’t relive the accident and he feels selfish for reliving it because it is nothing compared to what Mr Newcombe’s family has to go through," he said.

The court also heard a statement from Mr Newcombe’s mother, Pauline Calvert, who said: “There are no words to describe the enormous void and loss that has been created.

“There have been many hours of tears and deep sorrow.

“Believe me when I say that heartache is truly a physical pain breaking you apart.”

In addition to his jail term Ward was also banned from driving for 23 months.

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