Text driver faces jail over death

Kiera Coultas will be sentenced at the end of February

A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

Jordan Wickington, 19, died from head injuries after he went through a red light and was struck by Kiera Coultas's car in Southampton in February 2007.

Coultas, 25, of Hythe, who pleaded not guilty, was released on bail and will be sentenced at the end of February.

The judge at Southampton Crown Court warned her she may be jailed.

We are pleased with the outcome of this trial and hope Jordan's death will prevent or deter others from using their mobile phones whilst driving Laura Wickington

Following the crash Mr Wickington, of Netley, Hampshire, who had not been wearing a helmet, was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he later died.

His sister, Laura, said the past year had been "extremely hard".

"The loss of Jordan is a pain that will stay with us for ever," she said.

"He was a bright, intelligent and beautiful person who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

"We are pleased with the outcome of this trial and hope Jordon's death will prevent or deter others from using their mobile phones whilst driving."

Sgt Alison West, of Hampshire Constabulary's road death investigation team, recommended drivers switched off their mobile phones during journeys.

"It's pretty routine nowadays at the scene of these serious or fatal accidents to seize drivers' mobile phones, and to have them analysed to see if the phone has had anything to do with the driving standards involved," she said.

"In this particular incident, it transpired from a phone analysis that there was phone use close to the time of the incident."