Motorcyclist struck elderly pedestrian on the A595 in Whitehaven

Richard Barton, 48, was riding his motorbike to work when he hit Ronald Reed, as he made his way along the pedestrian crossing near Rutland Avenue in Whitehaven.

The 82-year-old victim, who is a well-known Whitehaven housing developer and a father-of-five, suffered significant injuries, including a bleed on the brain.

Barton later told police that he assumed Mr Reed would stop in the middle of the road to let him past. He pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving when he appeared before Workington Magistrates’ Court.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Pamela Fee said a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a motorcycle was reported at 8am on December 18 last year.

A witness who had been out walking her dogs said she saw Mr Reed crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing and thought he was ‘cutting it fine’ due to rush hour traffic.

The woman saw the motorcycle and then Mr Reed ‘lift off the road’. Other witnesses also saw the collision take place.

During police interview, Barton said he was heading towards Egremont and saw the traffic lights were on green. He saw Mr Reed cross the road and ‘assumed he would stop in the middle of the road and let him past’. Mr Reed had continued walking with his head down.

Barton said the pedestrian lights were on red and his lights were on green. He said he tried to slow down but ‘it was too late’ and he struck Mr Reed.

He said it had been ‘dark’ and ‘misty’. He had travelled from his home address to Hensingham and then to the A595 to get to work. He said he thought he was doing the speed limit.

Ms Fee said Mr Reed had suffered a number of serious injuries in the collision including 10 rib fractures, a fracture to his left shoulder and a bleed on the brain.

A victim personal statement made by his son, Gary Reed, who established High Grange Developments with his father, said: “The effect of this accident on our father is profound. He’s lost his confidence and sense of self.

Gary and Ronald Reed (second and third from left) are award-winning home builders with their family-run business High Grange Developments (Image: Archive) Mr Reed said his father previously walked six miles a day and was a keen musician who played the piano prior to the accident, but no longer had the confidence to do those things. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in August.

Mr Reed said the accident also had a ‘devastating effect’ on their mother, who could no longer do ordinary activities with her husband.

He said: “All of our lives have changed. We are all emotionally damaged by this accident. Our parents are different people with different needs. Our previous family relationship has been stolen from us.”

Mr Reed said his father was no longer involved in the family business which had put additional pressures on other family members. He said the ‘profound’ and ‘negative’ impact of the accident would never leave their family.

Summing up the case, Ms Fee said it was an ‘unfortunate accident’ which could have been avoided, had Barton ‘simply slowed down’ and not assumed that Mr Reed would move out of the way.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said: “These are always difficult cases. We all drive. We understand those risks associated with driving. Accidents happen and have a widespread effect to others. The accident has had life-changing consequences across the piste.

“The defendant is on a motorbike, heading into work. There’s no suggestion his riding of the motorbike is anything but careful.

“The defendant is in the left hand lane. The victim is on the right hand side pavement. The lights on the road are on green. There is a prohibition from crossing for pedestrians.

“The defendant recognises, having been paying attention to the road in front of him, at that point he should have throttled down but he makes a misjudgement.

“It’s impossible to avoid that collision. The judgement was not an appropriate judgement.

Richard Barton leaves Workington Magistrates' Court after being sentenced for causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s heartbreaking when you hear the victim personal statement. It’s hard to judge if the difficulties are the product of the road traffic collision or the diagnosed Alzheimer’s.

“It may well be the Alzheimer’s played a part in the decision to cross the pedestrian crossing at that time.”

Mr Woolaghan said the defendant was of ‘impeccable’ previous character and had donated bone marrow to a stranger, which ‘spoke volumes about his character’.

Passing sentence, magistrates imposed a 12-month driving ban and a fine of £709. Barton, of Moresby Parks Road, Moresby, Whitehaven, must also pay £85 costs and a £284 victim surcharge.