Man killed biker in wrong-way police chase crash

Connor Copse has been jailed for 12 years and four months

An off-road biker who killed a motorcyclist after driving the wrong way around a roundabout has been jailed.

Connor Copse, 25, had been trying to evade police in Nottingham on 6 May 2024 when he crashed into Kevin Peacock's blue Yamaha.

The 68-year-old, who had been diagnosed with blood cancer eight weeks beforehand but was on new medication to extend his life, was thrown from his bike in the crash and suffered multiple serious injuries, including a ruptured spleen.

Copse pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Nottingham Crown Court in January and was jailed for 12 years and four months on Wednesday.

Sentencing, Judge Steven Coupland was told Copse had been spotted driving erratically in the Clifton area of Nottingham on a cross-country style motorbike.

Police tried to stop him, but he made off, riding through the city centre at 75mph (120km/h), going through red lights and travelling on the wrong side of the road.

He approached the roundabout, between Broxtowe Lane and Aspley Lane, and drove the wrong way around the island, before hitting Mr Peacock head-on.

The collision took place on a roundabout between Broxtowe Lane and Aspley Lane

The court heard Copse tried to run off following the crash, but suffered a very serious leg injury and was arrested a short time later.

Copse could still require an amputation on the injured leg, Judge Coupland heard.

Mr Peacock was taken to hospital where his spleen was removed by surgeons.

He remained in a coma for three weeks before battling repeated infections, which he struggled to fight due to the loss of his spleen, and died of multiple organ failure six weeks after the crash.

He had also been diagnosed with blood cancer eight weeks before the crash, but was on a new medication which meant he could have survived another 15 years.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Peacock's son Lee said his father was "my leader, my hero, my best friend".

"He made everything seem possible," he said.

Judge Coupland heard Copse had been on bail having pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and common assault in relation to a two-year period of "prolonged, targeted" behaviour, targeting his former partner.

Copse was given 10 and a half years in prison for dangerous driving, and a 22-month consecutive jail term for controlling and coercive behaviour.

For the assault, he was given a four-month term that will run concurrently to the other sentences.

Due to Nottinghamshire Police's involvement in the incident, a mandatory report was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A spokesperson for the body said: "All police officers involved were treated as witnesses during our investigation, which concluded in July 2024.

"The investigation report was provided to assist the coroner, and our findings will be released at the conclusion of all associated proceedings, including the inquest."