A 28-YEAR-OLD driver who admitted causing a catastrophic crash in which a motorcyclist died has been sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years.

Joshua Langthorn from Middlesbrough was driving his VW Golf on the A171 towards Scarborough in April 2019 when motorcyclist Terence Adamson, 49, also from Middlesbrough pulled out from behind to overtake. At the same time Langthorn also pulled out forcing Mr Adamson to take evasive action steering onto the offside grass verge. After struggling to control the bike he managed to rejoin the road just as an oncoming Iveco horsebox came into view. The vehicles collided, Mr Adamson was thrown from his bike sustaining critical injuries from which he later died. The horsebox overturned, ejecting the animal which died at the side of the road.

Langthorn admitted causing death by careless driving, he was also disqualified for two and a half years, ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

After the hearing at York Crown Court Traffic Constable Matthew Tanfield said: "My heart goes out to Mr Adamson’s family. He was a private man who valued family and working hard. This incident is an example of how a driver, by not paying full and close attention to the road, can cause an innocent person to pay the ultimate price. I urge everyone using the roads to always check their mirrors and blind spots before any manoeuvre. These are the basics of safe driving, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, so please always pay attention."