A MAN has received a 27-week suspended jail term for causing the death of a motorcyclist by veering into a roadside gully and then oversteering into his path.

Gordon Finlay, 59, of Ffordd Alban, Tywyn, pleaded guilty to causing the death of grandfather Malcolm Willis, 67, by careless driving. He also received a two-year ban with an extended test at the end.

Mold Crown Court heard the incident happened on a winding country road near, Aberhosan, Machynlleth, in May last year.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, said Mr Willis was an experienced and careful biker. He and his partner, 62, lived at Willenhall, Wolverhampton.

But Mr Mainstone said Mr Willis had been unable to avoid a collision with a Citroen Picasso driven by Finlay.

The car overturned in a field, and Mr Willis was thrown from his machine.

The crash was witnessed by his partner Annis Spinks.

She became emotional as she told the court how safety was her boyfriend’s priority.

“The day before the accident we had made plans for the future,” she said. “Now I have nothing.”

Mr Mainstone said Finlay crawled from his upturned car. But Mr Willis died at the scene from multiple injuries.

Philip Clemo, defending, said Finlay was extremely ill and would be “wracked with guilt and the pain he’s caused for the rest of his life”.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Finlay there was no suggestion of excessive speed but for an unknown reason his car had veered into a shallow gully and then swerved across the road.

The judge said Mr Willis was a “totally responsible” motorcyclist. “His partner was there at the time following behind at a safe distance. She had to witness the accident,” Judge Rowlands declared.

He added that the tragedy was due to an error on Finlay’s part. “The effect has been truly devastating,” the judge remarked.

The jail sentence was suspended for two years.