A MOTORCYCLIST who caused the death of a friend while they were riding together walked free from court yesterday after a judge heard how the tragedy had affected him.
Carl Buckingham is receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the accident in North Yorkshire, last September, in which his friend, Mark Chadfield, was killed.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Buckingham, a glazier from Darlington, has vowed never to ride a motorbike again and feels “real and genuine remorse for what happened”.
Defence barrister Dan Cordey said: “It is something that is now on his conscience. The accident has had a great and lasting impact.”
Buckingham, 35, of Thompson Street East, admitted causing death by careless driving and was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision.
Judge Tony Briggs also banned him from driving for 18 months, and told him: “Clearly, you are suffering and it will be some time before you can safely return to the road.”
The court heard that the two Darlington men were among four bikers riding along the A684 Temple Bank, between Aysgarth and Swinithwaite, in North Yorkshire, on September 3, when the tragedy happened.
Buckingham panicked and braked heavily when something startled him.
His bike skidded out of control and into the path of an Isuzu Rodeo, on the other side of the road.
The driver of the Isuzu was forced to take evasive action, swerving to avoid a collision with Buckingham, but hitting 34-yearold Mr Chadfield’s Kawasaki. He died at the scene.
The court heard that Buckingham’s riding – and that of the other men, all friends who regularly went out together – was “at all times careful and safe” in the run-up to the accident.
“This is a tragic matter,” said the judge. “It is tragic, in particular, for the Chadfield family, from whom I have got a letter written by Mrs Chadfield that is very touching and moving.
“No penalty that I impose on you today can, in any way, equal the knowledge that will live with you, that you were responsible for the death of someone who was a devoted family man.
“That knowledge, I am quite satisfied, does weigh with you and will continue to weigh with you.
“I am satisfied you accept responsibility and feel a great deal of remorse.”
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