BIKER NEWS: South Hetton biker spared jail for killing 'worshipped' gran outside her son's house

The daughter of Mary Gray, 76, who was hit by motorcylist David Marriner, said her 'world stopped' the day her mum was tragically killed

BN- A motorcyclist who knocked down and killed a “worshipped” grandmother outside her son’s house has walked free from court.

Mary Gray, 76, was on her way to bingo with her blind husband when she stopped at her son’s to drop something off.

As she crossed the road outside his home, biker David Marriner rode into her in a tragic accident.

The pensioner’s son found her badly injured outside his home and lay with her on the ground while they waited for an ambulance.

Mrs Gray, whose family said they worshipped her, suffered serious injuries and died a week later in hospital.

Although Marriner, 41, was within the 30mph limit, he should have seen the pensioner earlier and failed to brake when he did spot her, assuming she would stop, a court heard.

Now 41-year-old Marriner, never in trouble before and who has an unblemished driving record, has been given a community order for causing Mrs Gray’s death by careless driving.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Mrs Gray’s family have been left distraught by her death and her daughter, Julie Ramshaw, said her “world stopped and it changed my life forever”.

In a statement read to the court Julie said: “She was a strong intelligent, self sufficient, active woman who was worshipped by her family and who loved and worshipped her family.

“She was not just a mother but an adviser, a confidante and a teacher to us.

“This has had a lasting and profound effect on us.

“It made my world stop and changed my life forever.”

She added that her brother, Jack, was left traumatised by finding his mother badly injured outside his home.

Julie said that Mrs Gray’s husband, Joe English, who is registered blind, used to do everything with his wife and relied on her.

She said: “She was Joe’s eyes and ears and they had an active social life together.

“Joe didn’t see the collision, obviously, but he heard the sound of the collision and this has deeply affected him.

“My daughters also had their hearts broken by my mother’s death.

“The day she died a part of each and every one of us died.”

Mrs Gray stopped at her son’s home on South Hetton Road, Easington Lane, around midday on May 20 last year to drop something off for his dog.

She was on her way to play bingo in Durham with her 76-year-old husband. Mrs Gray parked her car and got out to cross the road to get to her son’s house when she was hit.

Accident investigators found Marriner was travelling at 28.4mph in the 30mph zone before hitting the pensioner.

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Sloan QC said: “I’m satisfied Mrs Gray should have been visible ahead, waiting to cross the road.

“You should have been aware of her presence. She was clearly intent on crossing the road.

“She began to cross the road and for some reason which is not clear, she either didn’t notice you approaching or misjudged how long it would take for you to reach her.

“There is no suggestion you were exceeding the speed limit, you were travelling below the 30mph at a speed that was wholly appropriate.

“You should have seen her but you failed to see her and when you did you failed to brake or take avoiding action, simply assuming she would stop. That said, she failed to see you approaching or misjudged the situation.”

Judge Sloan, who imposed a community order with 210 hours of unpaid work, £2,000 costs and a 12 month driving ban, added: “Mrs Gray’s death has had a devastating effect on her family.

“No sentence I can pass could ever serve to ease the pain which her family have suffered and continue to suffer.

“You have no previous convictions, an unblemished driving record and are usually an extremely careful driver.

“It’s clear essentially you are a good man and the incident has had a profound effect on you. It represents a personal tragedy for you.

“The last thing you intended when you set out that day was to take another person’s life.”

Marriner, of Frederick Street, South Hetton, whose partner was also on the bike at the time and who was on his way to an MOT test, said he had not seen Mrs Gray until late and then thought she would stop, so didn’t brake.

Peter Walsh, defending, said Marriner’s vision had been obscured for a time by a car.

Mr Walsh added: “His remorse has been noticed by his friends and family.

“He is of exemplary character and has full-time employment and holds a responsible position.”

After the case, Motor Patrols Chief Inspector John Heckels said: “This tragic incident highlights the devastating effects careless driving can have and our thoughts remain with the family of Mary Gray.

“All road users have a responsibility to make sure they are not putting themselves or other road users at risk and my main priority is ensuring our roads are safer.”

Source: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/south-hetton-biker-spared-jail-10237099