Driver who killed Ely motorcyclist spared jail

A driver who killed a motorcyclist from Ely after a lapse in concentration has avoided prison.

Sarah Pratt, 65, was driving her Volvo V60 on Sixteen Foot Bank between Upwell and Chatteris at around midday on 3 June 2023.

She took the route over the railway bridge and moved to her right, but crossed the lane when another vehicle was coming towards her.

Pratt collided head-on with Brian Dewey, 73, of Main Street in Little Thetford, Ely, who was riding a Kawasaki EN650 motorcycle.

Mr Dewey was pronounced dead at the scene, and in a statement at the time his family said: "Brian was much loved and will be sadly missed by all who knew him."

Pratt, of Ryston Hall in Ryston, Downham Market, was interviewed by police and provided a pre-prepared statement in which she said she thought her route was clear but as she turned right towards the crossing, she heard a bang.

She remained at the scene and because of the crash, suffered a bruised sternum and suspected whiplash.

The statement also said she had been incredibly shaken by events and suffered significant anxiety and distress and had hardly driven since the collision.

Pratt was later charged with causing death by careless driving, and pleaded guilty to the offence at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 12 August 2024.

She was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday 1 November 2024, where she was handed two months and two weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. 

She was also ordered to complete 175 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 18 months.