Biker jailed over pensioner death

A speeding biker who killed a 71-year-old woman out walking her neighbour's dog has been jailed for three years.

Martin Tyson, 26, had not passed his test and was uninsured when his Kawasaki motorbike hit Elizabeth Sugden in Redcar, Teesside, in December 2008.

She was crossing the town's A1085 trunk road with her neighbour's black labrador Molly, who also died.

Tyson, of Elm Road, Redcar, admitted causing death by careless driving at Teesside Crown Court.

The court heard Tyson, who had a string of previous motoring convictions, was travelling at 75mph when Mrs Sugden was struck. The road has a 60mph limit.

'Empty house'

A statement read to the court on behalf of Mrs Sugden's husband James Sugden said: "My life has been destroyed by this incident.

"My heart is broken, and nothing in this life will ever mend it.

"I miss her so much, I am lost without her, my life is so lonely.

"I find it so hard returning to an empty house and waking up to an empty house."

Tyson said he swerved to avoid Mrs Sugden instead of braking because he assumed he had full control of the motorcycle.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and told he must pass an extended test before driving again.