Banned dangerous driver not linked to Mid Wales road death

But it was stressed at Mold Crown Court that his driving had nothing to do with the tragic death of a young motorcyclist as she returned home from a picnic in the countryside.

Defendant David Stone was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

But he admitted a charge of dangerous driving following his earlier behaviour on the A548 Llanfair Caereinion to Welshpool road on June 1 last year.

The court heard that Stone's driving was witnessed by a number of people and he was seen to overtake, causing on-coming vehicles to take evasive action.

Prosecuting barrister Maria Massellis said that a police officer witnessed one of the manoeuvres, turned around and followed the defendant in a line of traffic and then positioned himself behind the defendant's car.

He put on his blue lights and pulled back to a safe distance, intending to stop the defendant on the other side of a roundabout when it was safe to do so.

But before he could do so, there was a crash behind him.

The line of traffic had come to a sudden stop at the roundabout.

Radiographer Melanie Lakin, 29, of Tamworth, who was riding with her boyfriend Oliver Dudley, 30, following behind, had been unable to control her machine and collided with a Toyota ahead of her, which was behind the police motorcycle.

She was unseated and hit by an on-coming BMW.

Despite the best efforts of people present who conducted CPR until the emergency services arrived, she was declared dead at the scene.

Miss Massellis said that the prosecution had given very careful consideration to the charge but there was no link between that accident and the defendant's driving.

Judge Niclas Parry said it was initially believed that Stone's driving may in some way be attributed to the defendant's driving.

"These proceedings are brought on the basis that there was not," he said.

Stone, 25, of Pant y Neuadd Caravan Park, Tywyn in Gwynedd, admitted dangerous driving and was fined £1,500 with £655 costs and he was banned from driving for a year. He must take an extended re-test.