Man found guilty of manslaughter over fatal crash

Murat Karakas, 51, was convicted after a three-week trial at Stafford Crown Court

A man has been convicted of manslaughter over a fatal crash in Tamworth.

Murat Karakas, 51, was found guilty for causing the death of motorcyclist Richard Radbourne, 47, in the collision on Comberford Road on 3 March.

He had left his home in Gillway, Tamworth, shortly before 22:00 GMT after learning his son’s car was being pursued at speed by a motorbike, Staffordshire Police said.

Upon finding the chase, Karakas stopped his Audi Q3 on the wrong side of Comberford Road prior to the crash involving his car and the bike.

Mr Radbourne was pronounced dead at the scene.

A jury found Karakas guilty of manslaughter at Stafford Crown Court on Friday following a three-week trial.

Following the conviction, Mr Radbourne’s partner Haley said he was loved and missed “so much” by everyone who knew him.

“I still struggle without him here. I just hope grief eases with time,” she said.

Richard Radbourne, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash

Mr Radbourne’s father Kevin said: “To lose my son Richard Radbourne in such a senseless and tragic way, and at such a young age, is very difficult to come to terms with."

Det Insp Lisa Holland, of Staffordshire Police’s major investigations team, said it was a complex case involving a large number of officers.

“Our thoughts are with Richard’s family and friends,” she added.

Karakas will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court at a later date.