A NURSERY assistant who killed a motorcyclist when she cut a corner just 14 months after passing her driving test has been fined £200.

Tracy Jobling had been on her way home with boyfriend Paul McGee after taking two young nieces for an ice-cream when her red Citroen AX collided with Philip Skelton's Honda Fireblade at the junction of the A6108 Masham-Leyburn road with Kilgram Lane at Jervaulx a year ago.

When 20-year-old Jobling, of Fitzalan Road, Bedale, pleaded guilty to careless driving, prosecutor Sarah Tyrer told Harrogate magistrates how a police investigation had concluded she had cut the corner as she turned right off the main road into the path of Mr Skelton's bike.

Mr Skelton, 42, of Pannal Road, Follifoot, Harrogate, who had been thrown from his machine, died from a head injury.

Mrs Tyrer said if Jobling had turned correctly, she would have opened up her view down the road towards Mr Skelton who had been returning home after a Sunday afternoon outing.

The court was told that Jobling, who had been negotiating "a difficult junction" and had turned "a little bit early," had been devastated by what happened and had not driven for some months afterwards.

She had taken fresh driving lessons in a bid to build up her confidence.

Jobling, who understood what it meant to lose someone close and dear, wanted to express her heartfelt sympathy to Mr Skelton's widow and family.

Court chairman Gillian Horrox imposed a £200 fine with 45 costs and a two-month ban after which Jobling must take a new driving test.