Worthing motorcylist sent to prison for road death
A Worthing motorcyclist has been imprisoned for causing the death of a pedestrian.
Arthur Burke, 52, of Boundary Road, Worthing, pleaded guilty at Chichester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, January 26) to causing death by careless driving whilE unfit through drink or drugs, and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
Alan Barber, 71, of North Lane, Portslade was crossing North Street in Worthing on July 1 last year when he was hit by Burke. Mr Barber died from his injuries at the scene.
Burke provided a positive breath test and was later found to be one and a half times over the drink drive limit. Witnesses stated that he had been speeding before the collision.
Sergeant Tony Crisp of the Sussex Road Policing Unit said; “This was a very tragic crash which has had a significant effect on Mr Barber’s family. It clearly highlights the severe dangers of drink driving. We work hard with partner agencies to educate, prevent and deter people from drinking and driving, but for those few who are willing to risk their lives and lives of others by doing so they can expect to be arrested, charged and, if convicted, significant sentences.”
Alan Barber’s widow Christine, who saw the tragic incident, said; “My life and lives of my family and Alan’s family have been competely shattered by his traumatic death.
“We had only eight months retirement together before Burke took my love away from me and took away our future together. I would like to thank my GP and Sussex Police for all they have done to help me through this tragedy. Burke did not consider the lethal consequences of what could and did happen after he drank alcohol and then rode his motorbike carelessly that day.”
The public can report drink drivers though Operation Crackdown via www.operationcrackdown.org, or direct to Sussex Police using the non-emergency 101 number, or by dialling 999 if drink driving is taking place.
Read next Thursday’s Worthing Herald, on sale on February 2, for an interview with Mr Barber’s wife.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
