The van driver later admitted ‘I just did not see him’ and told a court he would ‘like to apologise’
David Newman, pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A motorcyclist who was on a touring holiday suffered serious life-changing injuries after the driver of a delivery van failed to see him at a crossroads and suddenly pulled straight out in front of him. The French rider – a “motorcycle fanatic” – was airlifted to hospital and the van driver later admitted: “I just did not see him.”
The motorcyclist suffered fractures to his ankle, left wrist and right hand in the horrific crash, Hull Crown Court heard. David Newman, 52, of Sycamore Crescent, Cranswick, near Driffield, admitted causing serious injury by careless driving on May 7 last year.
Maya Hanson, prosecuting, said that Newman was delivering parcels in a white Volkswagen Crafter van and he was driving southbound back to Driffield when he failed to give way at a junction of the B1253 in the Cowlam area. His van “came straight out of the road” and it was in collision with a Kawasaki motorcycle being ridden westbound on the Bridlington road.
“He was going to Pocklington,” said Miss Hanson. The rider, 65 at the time and a French national, was on a motorcycle touring holiday.
“He is a motorcycle fanatic,” said Miss Hanson. The motorcyclist saw Newman’s van approaching on his right side but it did not stop at the junction.
“The defendant failed to stop at the crossroads at all,” said Miss Hanson.
The rider tried to take evasive action but the motorcycle hit the van and crashed into a field, causing him to fall off.
The motorcycle came to rest 25 metres from the mouth of the junction. The van suffered damage to its bumper, bonnet and registration plate.
The rider was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he stayed for about seven weeks. He suffered life-changing injuries, including a fractured right ankle, which needed a skin graft, and a fractured left wrist, which needed plates fitting, as well as a fractured right hand.
When he got back to France, he had a further week in hospital. Screws and plates were inserted but recovery was slow. “The doctor says he is making good progress,” said Miss Hanson. “His fractures are healing well.”
Newman told the court: “I just did not see him. I didn’t sleep for weeks afterwards. I have driven for years. I have been driving since 1991. I am a good driver.
“I know the rules. I would just like to apologise.” He had convictions for three previous offences but none for driving matters. He had a clean driving licence.
Newman was given a four-month suspended prison sentence, with no requirements. He was banned from driving for one year and he was ordered to pay £150 costs and a £154 victims’ surcharge.
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