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A driver’s “momentary lapse of concentration” at a roundabout caused the death of a much-loved biker, a court has heard. Motorist Ralph Thompson changed lanes as he exited a roundabout and collided with the bike which was passing him, sending the bike and its rider flying the air and into a metal pole and roadside signs. Despite the best efforts of people at the scene – including a passing off-duty police officer who administered first aid – biker Paul Watkins could not be saved.
At Swansea Crown Court Mr Watkins’ widow described him as the “missing piece in the family jigsaw” which meant the jigsaw would never be complete again. Royal Mail worker Thompson had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
Peter Donnison, prosecuting, told the court that the fatal collision happened on the afternoon of October 1, 2021, at a roundabout on Seaway Parade in Baglan, Port Talbot. He said weather conditions were clear and sunny at the time and there was a normal level of traffic in the area. The barrister said at around 4.45pm the defendant in his Vauxhall Corsa entered the roundabout in the left lane intending to take the first exit. Travelling in the same direction was Mr Watkins on his Suzuki 750 motorbike. Mr Watkins was travelling faster than Thompson and was also intending to take the first exit and he was effectively overtaking the defendant. The court heard that as the driver exited the roundabout he moved into the right lane “without warning or indication” and collided with the bike, projecting it and its rider through the air and into a post and signs on the central reservation. Mr Watkins fell to the floor and his bike landed on top of him.
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The court heard people in the area rushed to help the stricken biker and lifted the machine off the injured man. A trained first-aider and an off-duty police officer who happened to be passing went to give medical care including CPR. However the 60-year-old grandfather could not be saved and he died at the scene.
In a victim impact which was read to the court Mr Watkins’ fiancée, Suzanne Rose, paid tribute to her partner. She said Mr Watkins had been “everything” to her and their two daughters and she didn’t know how she wold cope without him. She said October 1, 2021, had been the last day she had woken up happy and she said her partner’s death had “turned their happy home into a living nightmare”. She said the family had been “complete just like a jigsaw” but that jigsaw would never be complete again because a piece was missing.
In a victim impact statement from Mr Watkins’ daughter Rebecca Williams she described her dad as a “kind, caring, loving, hardworking family man”. She said the family never got the chance to tell him one last time how much they loved him and she described the 18 months since his death as “existing not living”.
Ralph Thompson, aged 59, of Ynysymaerdy Road, Briton Ferry, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when he returned to the dock to be sentenced. He has no previous convictions. The guilty plea was entered on the basis that he had looked in his rear view mirror and not seen the bike and in a “momentary lapse of concentration” had crossed the white line without indicating. The court heard basis of plea was accepted by the Crown.
Hywel Davies, for Thompson, said the prosecution had accepted the collision had been caused by a momentary lapse of concentration on the part of the defendant and “however small his actions he accepts the significant consequences they have caused”. He said while not seeking to cast blame the speed of the motorbike and the overtaking manoeuvre being carried out were, factually, factors in the collision.
The barrister said his client was a father of four and a grandfather of four who had worked for the Royal Mail for the last 24 years and had led a law-abiding life and he said the events of the day in question had had a significant impact on his mental health. He added that the defendant had lost his wife suddenly nine years ago and had an understanding of the pain Mr Watkins’ family was going through.
Judge Catherine Richards said the deceased had been a man “much-loved, admired, and respected by his family and friends”. She said it was accepted the collision had been caused by a momentary lapse of concentration but she said it was recognised that motorcyclists were vulnerable road users which drivers should be looking out for. The judge said she accepted the defendant’s remorse was genuine and heartfelt, and “as might be expected of any decent person” the death of Mr Watkins had affected the defendant’s mental health.
Judge Richards said the appropriate sentence on the guidelines after trial would have been one of 32 weeks in custody. With a discount for the guilty plea which was entered on the day of trial that sentence was reduced to 28 weeks. The judge said as the sentence was one of less than two years in prison she was obliged to consider whether the term of imprisonment had to be served immediately or could be suspended and she said given the defendant’s lack of previous convictions and the realistic prospect of rehabilitation the sentence could be properly suspended. Thompson was sentenced to 28 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and to abide by a nightly curfew for the next three months. He was also banned from driving for two years,.
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