Killer motorcyclist to be spared jail after father-of-five's death in Darlaston

Luke Gutteridge admitted ploughing the Aprilia motorbike he was riding into Harbans Lal as the victim crossed Darlaston's Wolverhampton Street.

But the 28-year-old has been told he will not face an immediate jail term for killing the 61-year-old in the crash eight years ago.

Sitting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Judge James Burbidge QC said: "I do not believe that there is any need for you to go immediately to prison.

"It isn't appropriate to send you immediately to prison despite the devastation you have caused to Mr Lal's family."

Change of plea

Gutteridge initially denied causing death by careless driving but pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Lal was on his way home from Bull Street's The Old Engine pub when he was struck by Gutteridge at about 9pm on December 27, 2010.

His right lower leg was severed in the collision, while he was also left with fractures, bruises and abrasions.

An inquest into Mr Lal's death heard how he suffered shock following the loss of his leg and was pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to Walsall Manor Hospital.

Gutteridge, who suffers from a condition causing weakness in his hand and leg muscles, was charged with causing the widower's death six-and-a-half years later.

Mr Lal, who lived in Darlaston's Heathfield Lane, worked for copper tube manufacturers Mueller Europe Ltd in Bilston for more than 30 years.

He had been drinking but friends and relatives said he was not drunk, the July 2011 inquest heard.

Gutteridge, of Curtin Drive, Moxley, was handed an interim driving ban and is due to be sentenced on Thursday.