Motorcyclist jailed for causing man's death in Poole crash

Dominic Turner, 28, collided with John Robert Coleman in Commercial Road, Poole.

Pedestrian Mr Coleman suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital.

The 72-year-old died in hospital around a month after the crash.

The pillion passenger on Turner’s motorbike, his then-girlfriend, sustained life-changing injuries in the form of multiple fractures in her hand.

Turner pleaded guilty to causing Mr Coleman’s death by careless driving.

He appeared in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday, August 18.

Judge William Mousley KC said it was a “difficult” case to deal with but concluded only immediate imprisonment could mark the seriousness of the offence.

He reduced the custodial term to one year after factoring in the particular impact custody would have on the defendant given his mental health, the current condition in prisons and the problems Turner had faced since the collision could be seen as a form of punishment.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mousley KC said Mr Coleman was an “active retired man”.

“A loving and loved father, grandfather, for many years a husband and friend to many people, including his former wife,” Judge Mousley KC said.

“He was a selfless man who volunteers in various ways to help other people.

“He died on March 29, 2021, a month after the collision between your motorcycle and him.

“He was someone who had taken particular care to avoid risks during the Covid pandemic. He was a supportive, caring man, no doubt looking forward to happy years ahead of him.

“His death has had a huge psychological impact on his family, which still continues to this day.”

Prosecuting, Tim Bradbury said the collision took place on the eastbound carriageway of Commercial Road at around 6pm on February 28, 2021.

Commercial Road in Poole (Image: NQ)

Mr Bradbury said a motorcyclist travelling in the opposite direction believed Turner was speeding.

Mr Coleman had been waiting on the south side of the road for vehicles to pass and after looking left, right, and left again he began to cross.

The court heard the defendant’s average speed along Commercial Road was estimated to be 48mph to 58mph, while his speed at the time of impact was 33mph to 40mph although this did not take into account braking prior to the collision.

A report from a police collision investigator said if Turner had been travelling at the speed limit he would have had an additional three-and-a-half seconds to see Mr Coleman.

Turner sounded his horn and tried to pull to the side of the road but the collision still occurred.

Mr Coleman suffered skull fractures, a brain haemorrhage and rib, spine and pelvic fractures.

“As the expert said, the actions of both parties decided upon in attempts to avoid the collision have led to them both occupying the same space on the road,” Judge Mousley KC said.

He added: “When you were interviewed in March you said you had been travelling at 30mph throughout and a man ran out in front of you and there was nothing you could do to avoid collision.”

Reading her victim impact statement, Mr Coleman’s ex-wife detailed his love for Africa, in particular Swaziland.

She said Mr Coleman, who she knew as Rob, raised money for local causes to help others worse off than himself.

In retirement, he still returned to deliver suitcases full of clothes, toys and other items.

Mr Coleman “adored” his children and since his death, the family had been “broken”, the court heard.

His daughters Kim and Milligan also provided statements.

Mr Coleman was described as a “supportive”, “caring” and a “loving practical joker”. He had been extremely cautious during the Covid pandemic and the aftermath of the collision “nearly tore the family apart”.

Bournemouth Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mitigating, Eloise Emanuel said the “exceptional circumstances” of the case warranted an “exceptional” sentence.

She said Turner was acutely aware of the pain, distress and suffering he had caused Mr Coleman’s family and friends.

Since the incident, the defendant had been diagnosed with PTSD, Ms Emanuel said.

The court heard Turner committed motoring offences some time after the crash, including speeding on a motorway. Ms Emanuel said her client’s mental health had declined significantly which accounted for the later offences.

She said the defendant had now taken real steps to improve his mental health having suffered a major depressive illness.

Reading a letter he had written in court, Turner apologised to Mr Coleman’s family and said the incident had a huge impact on his life.

“I want to use this experience to better myself and help others,” the defendant said.

Judge Mousley KC said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and strong personal mitigation however the offence was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence could be imposed.

Alongside the prison term, Turner, now of Maidstone, was disqualified from driving for 18 months.