A motorcyclist prosecuted over the death of a 71-year-old woman killed when crossing the road had his driving ban cut by a year in London's Appeal Court yesterday .

Aaron Holland, 19, was riding the motorbike given to him by his father when he struck Mary Knowles as she crossed Ocean Road, South Shields on April 23, last year.

Holland, of Marine Approach, received a £750 fine and a three-year driving ban after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention in May this year.

The Appeal Court yesterday substituted a two-year ban, but rejected his appeal against the amount of the fine.