A COURTROOM was silenced by a heartfelt plea from the mother of a teenager who died when she was thrown from the back of a motorbike.

Maureen Reed's emotional statement, read to Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday, criticised the charge of careless driving brought against Edward Simms following the accident that led to the death of her 18-year-old daughter, Ashleigh.

"We learned the driver was being charged with careless driving and I was ashamed to tell my family or friends," she said. "The person responsible for the collision should be responsible for the outcome.

"If justice is not done, then how can I put any closure on the loss of my daughter?

"The shock and strain of Ashleigh's death has caused me to suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome.

"I beg you to reconsider this charge. I am sorry, but no man should be charged with careless driving for causing the death of another person."

Simms entered a guilty plea by post.

The court heard how Ashleigh was a pillion passenger on a motorbike travelling along Stockton ring road when it collided with Simms' silver BMW at the junction with The Glebe at about 9.45pm on November 20, last year.

Student Ashleigh and motorbike rider Michael Ridley, were thrown 20ft through the air. Ashleigh sustained multiple injuries and died at North Tees University Hospital, Stockton, in the early hours of the following day.

Mr Ridley, of Deleval Road, Billingham, suffered a fractured pelvis.

Statements from witnesses said Simms appeared to either slow or stop at the junction before turning right on to the ring road and into the path of the motorbike.

Other witnesses described the motorbike overtaking another vehicle at about 60mph in a 40mph zone while swerving to avoid a bollard.

In mitigation, Sian Jones said: "This is something Mr Simms will have to live with for the rest of his life.

"He has not been brought before this court for causing death by dangerous driving and the fact that Ashleigh died is not something the court is punishing him for."

Simms, of Darlington Lane, Norton, near Stockton, was fined £1,700, ordered to pay £50 in costs and was disqualified from driving for two years.