Death driver is ‘punishing herself’

A student nurse who pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving was told by magistrates no one could punish her more than she was punishing herself.

Sophie Gorton (21), from Gullane Close in Manchester, was handed community service and a 12 month driving ban after admitting hitting husband and father-of-two Allan Wellings (40), who was riding a Honda Fireblade motorcycle last July.

At the junction of Shaw Road and Huddersfield Road she had turned right and ploughed into Mr Wellings who was driving across her path.

Mr Wellings, a “considerate driver” tried to throw himself off his bike before the impact, but received severe injuries and died at Royal Oldham Hospital later that day.

Peter Malone, defending, told magistrates at Oldham that Gorton understood her driving caused the accident: “She has been feeling extremely sorry and can only imagine what the family is going through.

“She continues to struggle with the impact that her actions have had on the family and accepts fully what has happened.”

Gorton will serve an 80-hour community order and has also been ordered to pay £145 costs.