Driver jailed after fatal crash with motorcyclist

David Taylor said the red motorcycle had "just appeared" and he first saw it as it collided with his car

A man who killed a motorcyclist in a head-on collision while trying to overtake a van has been jailed.

David Taylor, 58, of Mallard Close, Chatteris, was driving a BMW along Forty Foot Bank in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, at about 17:30 GMT on Monday 8 January.

Alexander Paynter, 25, who was riding a red Moto Morini motorbike, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Taylor appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Wednesday where he was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Taylor said the motorcycle had "just appeared" and he first saw it as it collided with his car, close to the junction with Benwick Road.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.

He was disqualified from driving for five years and told to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

In a tribute, Alexander Paynter's family said he was a "real character"

In a tribute, Mr Paynter's family, said: "The sentencing brings the legal process to its end, but no sentence will ever make up for the loss of Alexander. His daughter, Winnie, has lost her father and his family has lost a son and brother.

"People he met for the first time were often left wondering what had just happened. He was a real character."

Det Sgt Craig Wheeler, said: "This was a completely avoidable collision that simply wouldn't have happened had Taylor driven to the road conditions.

"He chose to perform a completely unnecessary and dangerous overtake which tragically resulted in Alexander losing his life."

He said Mr Paynter was "unable to do anything to avoid this collision".

"Whilst no sentence passed will ever compensate for Alexander's death - I hope the sentence offers the family some form of closure," he added.