A DELIVERY driver walked free from court after causing a fatal crash with a Harley Davidson rider while illegally turning right on to a busy road.

Brian Moles, pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of Paul Matthews (pictured above), 56, from Dibden.

Richard Martin, prosecuting, told Southampton Crown Court that Moles, 53, had turned right in his Mercedes Sprinter van on to the A326 at Marchwood, despite road signs showing such a move was prohibited.

He said that Moles, driving a delivery van for Harvest Foods, had been flashed to proceed by an approaching driver, before he pulled out and crashed into Mr Matthews' motorcycle.

Mr Matthews was rushed to hospital following the crash, on September 8 last year, but later died of his injuries.

Sushil Kumar, defending, said that Moles' sat nav had actually instructed the 53-year-old, whose primary job was not as a driver, to turn right on to another road, Park Lane, just 12 metres before the A326.

Sentencing Moles, Judge Peter Henry told him: "Regrettably, while being a useful navigation aid, these devices can so often distract.

"You were distracted by the sat nav, distracted by the proximity of the right-hand turn into Park Lane, and you should have taken more care and you should have realised, but I am prepared to accept this was not deliberate.

"I am going to sentence you on the basis you were distracted and made a terrible but fatal error, rather than deliberate bullying driving."

Moles was sentenced to a 22-month jail term, suspended for two years, banned from driving for four years, and ordered to carry out 300 hours unpaid work and pay £1,800 court costs.