A motorcyclist who struck a pedal cyclist while speeding, causing the teenager serious injuries, was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday.
Thomas Cleaver, 29, from North Hykeham, was riding his 1000cc motorbike at nearly 80mph when the incident occurred as he was heading back to Lincoln after a day out.
Cleaver overtook a group of motorcyclists immediately before the collision and had pulled back in when the incident occurred.
Richard Gibbs, prosecuting, said the 16-year-old victim and a friend had been out riding their bikes and were crossing the A158 between Skegness and Burgh le Marsh at a pedestrian refuge.
The friend safely reached the other side of the road but the 16-year-old was struck by Cleaver’s motorcycle.
Mr Gibbs said: “Cleaver’s motorcycle collided with the boy’s push bike throwing him into the air. His bike landed elsewhere. The cycle was snapped in two.
“He suffered a broken right femur and had metal pins installed, which he will have for the rest of his life.
“He was not able to put any weight on his leg for three months and over a year after the collision was still in pain and could do very little without the help of his parents.”
The court was told that the latest medical report indicated that the teenager will make a full recovery.
A police collision investigator estimated that Cleaver was travelling at 76mph, plus or minus 3mph, immediately after the collision. The speed limit for the road was 60mph.
When Cleaver was later interviewed by police he said he thought he was doing no more than 70 when he overtook, and thought he had slowed down to around 65 to 68mph at the time of the collision. He told the officers that he thought the boy had seen him.
Mr Gibbs said that Paul Toyne, a second motorcyclist who was in a group of riders with Cleaver, was also speeding at just over 70mph but was not responsible for the collision with the boy.
Toyne told police that he was an inexperienced motorcyclist and had only been riding a motorcycle for a few days before the collision.
Thomas Cleaver, 29, of Peak Dale, North Hykeham, admitted a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving as a result of the incident on the evening of Sunday, June 30, 2019.
He was jailed for 15 months, banned from driving for two years and seven months, and ordered to pass an extended retest before he can legally drive again.
Paul Toyne, 33, of Waddingworth Grove, Lincoln, admitted dangerous driving. He was given a six month jail sentence suspended for 18 months with a 12 month driving ban.
He was also ordered to pass an extended retest before he can drive again.
Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told Cleaver: “It has to be an immediate custodial sentence. The offence is far too serious to be dealt with in any other way.
“This was significant and excessive speeding by you. It is that, and that alone, that caused you to collide with him.”
Sunil Khanna, for Cleaver, said the defendant had been out for the day with Toyne visiting Willingham Woods and then onto Mablethorpe and Skegness.
“He and Mr Toyne and two friends were driving back home when this happened.
“He took the opportunity to overtake. As he overtook the other motorcycles his speed went beyond the legal limit. As he pulled back in he had insufficient time to avoid the teenager. He accepts he should not have overtaken.
“He has been devastated by the injuries he caused.”
Mr Khanna said that Cleaver was seriously injured himself suffering fractures to an arm and a leg which resulted in him being detained in hospital for 15 days.
He has since been unable to work and has had to abandon plans to buy his first home with his partner.
James Gray, for Toyne, said he was speeding but did not cause the collision. He urged that Toyne should be spared an immediate jail sentence.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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