'Hardworking mum' killed biker in crash - court

Stephen 'Bucko' Buttle died in April 2023

A "hardworking mum" killed a motorcyclist in a crash just moments after he had been to a pub to show off his new bike, a court heard.

Gemma Haines, 38, admitted causing Stephen Buttle's death by careless driving and was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Leeds Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

She had been on her way to do a weekly Aldi shop when she turned right at a junction into the path of Mr Buttle's motorcycle.

The 56-year-old had just left The Station in Castleford when the collision happened on Enterprise Way in April 2023.

Mr Buttle, known as Bucko, had only briefly visited the pub to show his Triumph Thunderbird to a friend but left soon after without drinking any alcohol.

Katie Webb, Mr Buttle's partner, said "it was the worst day of my life" when she found out about the incident.

"Every time I close my eyes, all I see his Bucko lying on the floor unresponsive," she told the court.

"I am scared of going to one of the local pubs or going out for something to eat because I'm painfully aware of the empty seat beside me."

Ms Haines, of Fuchsia Croft, Woodlesford, was described in court as a hardworking and "loving mother" and cried throughout the hearing.

Ms Webb told her: "You have ripped my family apart."

Michael Smith, prosecuting, said that Mr Buttle "was left with no real chance to react in time", but added that it was accepted Ms Haines immediately got out of her Nissan Juke and could be heard saying "what have I done?".

She called 999 and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

She had been on her way home from work to do a food shop when she struck Mr Buttle near the entrance to an Aldi supermarket. She had not consumed any alcohol and there was no evidence she had been using her mobile phone.

District Judge Charlotte Holland said Ms Haines should have seen Mr Buttle coming around the corner, and "if she had seen him this would not have happened".

She added: "The real punishment for you is living the rest of your life knowing what you have done to this family.

"This is a tragedy in the real sense of the word for everybody."

Ms Haines was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, five rehabilitation activity requirement days and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

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