Driver, 80, who caused biker death to be released

An 80-year-old driver who admitted causing a motorcyclist's death by careless driving is set to be released from prison after his sentence was reduced.

Raymond Dagnall served seven weeks of his initial 12-month sentence before it was quashed on Tuesday by the Court of Appeal.

Dagnall, who has no previous convictions, pulled out past a give-way sign on Park Road in Worsborough, Barnsley, and hit motorcyclist Aaron Smith.

The 25-year-old died in hospital after the collision which took place at around 7:30 GMT on 22 November 2023.

The Court of Appeal replaced the original sentence, handed down at Sheffield Crown Court on 5 December last year, with an eight-month term suspended for 18 months.

Lady Justice Andrews, sitting with Mr Justice Lavender and Mr Justice Swift, said: "In this case, we feel that the judge did get it wrong."

Dagnall remains disqualified from driving for seven years.

He gave up his driving licence, vowed never to drive again and considered taking his own life following the incident, the court heard.

Rebecca Stevens, for Dagnall, said he had a "momentary lapse of judgment" and performed an "unsafe manoeuvre".

She told the court: "He did slow. He pulled out at a normal speed. He inexplicably did not see the motorcycle."

Nicola Quinney, opposing the appeal on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "From the CCTV, he simply came out of the junction without having paid any attention to vehicles on the road."

Mr Justice Lavender said his "genuine and considered remorse, and the extent to which he himself has suffered" contributed to the sentence reduction decision.

Dagnall, who cares for his 57-year-old wife who has epilepsy, appeared by video link from prison and sat with his head buried in his arms.

Mr Justice Lavender said Dagnall was described as "truly riddled with guilt" by the sentencing judge.

The court heard he had experienced anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder since the incident.

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