No jail time for driver, 39, who killed motorcyclist

A man has been handed a 14-week suspended sentence after a motorcyclist died in a collision with his van.

Alexander Chapman, 39, of Taunton, Somerset, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving after turning around in a layby and pulling out in front of Destiney Rauh, 27.

Ms Rauh was pronounced dead at the scene in West Lyng, Somerset, in February 2024, Taunton Crown Court heard.

Her family said her death had left "a big hole" in their lives.

The court heard Chapman was heading back towards his home in Taunton when he turned around on the A361.

He pulled out directly in front of Ms Rauh who, despite swerving to avoid his van, collided with it before hitting the ground.

Before Chapman was sentenced, a victim personal statement from Ms Rauh's grandmother was read out in court.

"Destiney was such a big part of our lives, as she came to live with us at six weeks old," the statement said.

"Her bedroom is still the same as she left it on that Sunday morning. Her clothes are still in the wardrobe and her work shoes are still at the bottom of the stairs where she left them."

Addressing Chapman, she added in the statement: "The last thing she saw on this earth was your white van. I will never forgive you, but one day I will be with her and I will be happy again.

"I know you didn't go out to kill her, but you did and nothing in this world will change that. You took something very, very precious from us."

Sentencing, Judge Richard Shepherd said: "What made this careless was your inadequate checks for a motorcycle that caused the death.

"The aggregating factor is that the victim was a vulnerable road user."

Chapman was disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.