Driver jailed for six years for killing biker

A woman who caused the death of a motorcyclist when she made a "catastrophic error" in attempting to overtake a farm vehicle has been jailed.

Jeffrey Scott, 66, died after his Ducati motorcycle was struck by a Vauxhall Corsa driven by Danielle Barrett on Langrick Road, near Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in July 2023.

Barrett, 28, of Steadman Court, Horncastle, had denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, but was found guilty following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court in December.

On Thursday, she was sentenced to six years in prison and banned from driving for seven and a half years.

The court heard Barrett had been driving south on the B1192 at no more than 25mph (40km/h) when she pulled out to pass a slow moving crop sprayer just before a bend.

Chris Jeyes, prosecuting, said Barrett's driving was aggravated by her previous motoring convictions, which included points for speeding and for driving without insurance on two separate occasions in 2020.

She also received six points for using a mobile phone in August 2024.

Barrett's defence team said she had admitted driving carelessly, but had made a "catastrophic error" in attempting the overtake.

She was not in any hurry on the day of the collision, remained at the scene and had not taken drink or drugs, the court heard.

Passing sentence, Judge Sjolin-Knight told Barrett: "You didn't see him until it was too late," adding she had only needed to wait for a few minutes to make sure the road was clear.

The judge said it also "beggars belief" Barrett had been convicted of a further driving offence since the collision.

In a victim impact statement, Scott's wife, Bev, said: "Our whole future was destroyed in just a second."

She described her husband of more than 40 years as a "popular leader", and spoke of the pain of having to face a trial.

The court heard Scott, who played rugby and football, and held the 100m record at North Kesteven School for more than 30 years, was the "perfect brother", who was always there for his family.

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