A 78-year-old man has been banned for driving for two years for causing a crash which left a motorcyclist with life-changing injuries.

Henry Edward Marriott from Church Lane, Radford Semele was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on 12 April to a Community Order and banned from driving for two years until he passes an extended test of competence, for causing serious injury by careless driving to a motorcyclist travelling behind him on the Fosse Way on 9 August last year.

The Community Order requires Marriott to complete 150 hours of supervised unpaid work within the next 12 months and comply with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement to attend supervised appointments or to participate in any supervised activity as required by the responsible officer up to a maximum of 10 Days. 

He was also ordered to pay £114 victim surcharge and £340 costs and his driving record will also be endorsed.

The collision occurred when Marriott was driving a Subaru Forester on the Fosse Way in the direction of Harbury just before 7.30pm when he turned right into a petrol station across an oncoming vehicle causing a head on collision. 

The collision caused the Subaru to spin around 180 degrees hitting the motorcyclist who was stationary behind him, knocking the rider off his bike into the hedgerow.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist sustained serious life changing injuries including multiple fractures, and damage to the vision in his eyes, which causes him headaches.  

Hannah Smith, Police Led Prosecutor & Criminal Justice Supervisor said: "Motorcyclists are vulnerable road users and this rider did absolutely nothing wrong and has sustained serious injuries through no fault of his own. 

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"He had stopped a good distance behind the Subaru waiting for the driver to turn into the service station. 

"Unfortunately the momentary lapse of concentration by Henry Marriott resulted in life changing injuries to an innocent road user.

"We all have a responsibility to other road users to drive safely within the law and sadly this case demonstrates how important it is to keep your full attention on the road and the vehicles around you at all times. "