Careless scooter rider caused death of 'brilliant' Royal Navy lad

A scooter rider who caused the death of a promising Royal Navy lad during a careless overtaking manoeuvre has been spared jail. Lawrence King, 31, from Baytree Hill, Liskeard, appeared before Truro Crown Court for sentencing today (Friday, May 17) having pleaded guilty to a charge of causing the death of Rohan Hicks by careless driving.

The court heard how on the evening of June 29, 2022, King had been travelling on a scooter type motorbike from Looe back to Liskeard along the B3252 at Horningtops, when he moved into the opposite lane to overtake his brother's car on a hill. As he struggled to overtake the car, he failed to complete the manoeuvre, lost control of his motorbike and collided head on with Rohan's own bike, having left him no time to take evasive action.

The 21-year-old air engineering technician with the Royal Navy was thrown into the air, flung over a hedge and landed in a field. The impact of the crash was such that his helmet came off and he suffered unsurvivable head injuries.

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Despite attempts by paramedics, including the efforts of his own dad, Jack, an off-duty paramedic who had reached the scene of the crash when he became concerned for Rohan, the blameless lad was tragically declared deceased at the scene and died in his father's arms.

King, who suffered some life-changing injuries in the crash and had to undergo several operations at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth since the fatal crash, was later arrested and charged with Rohan's death.

In very emotional and dignified victim impact statements read out in court, Rohan's father, his mum Emma and his auntie Rebecca said how much Rohan's death had turned their world upside down. Jack told the court how proud the 21-year-old had been to join the Royal Navy and wanted to serve his country.

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He said Rohan still had so much more to give in life but he was robbed of his life and future. He said: "His sister has lost her hero. We were all so proud of him."

Rohan's mum Emma told the court how much she misses him every day. She said Rohan was "charismatic, kind, thoughtful, ambitious and brilliant with a great moral compass".

At the time of his death, Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, Captain Jo Deakin, said: “Rohan had exceptionally high personal and professional standards and he had yet to realise his full potential within the Royal Navy." The court heard that Rohan had always wanted to join the Navy, which he did in 2019. He qualified to be an air engineering technician and was on the way to climbing the ranks.

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Deni Mathews, defending, said King had shown remorse and regrets and recognised fully that it was as a consequence of his actions that another person has died. He said that he wishes he had died and Rohan had lived. In mitigation, Mr Mathews said King had been a man of good character with great work ethics who was now personally damaged by his own actions that evening and had expressed his desire never to go anywhere near a car or bike in his life again.

He added: "He understands absolutely the impact of his actions and has shown real regrets and remorse."

Sentencing King to 12 months suspended for two years and banning him from driving for five years, Judge Robert Linford said: "Rohan had been driving his motorcycle and was doing nothing wrong. He was a blameless young man with a fine past and a really promising future who was driving on the correct side of the road under the speed limit.

"As a consequence of your actions he suffered an unsurvivable head injury and died, leaving his family devastated. Rohan's father was a paramedic who attended the scene and watched his own son die in front of his eyes. The dignified statements his parents have read out in court have been among the most heart-breaking I have heard."

Judge Linford added: "You are devastated by what you have done. Rohan died because of your unsafe manoeuvre. Why did you do that and not avoid him? It's undeniable that Rohan was a remarkable, kind, well-liked and much loved young man with a bright future stretched out in front of him. His family have lost a son, a grandson, a brother, a nephew, a boyfriend and a friend.

"No sentence can do anything to alleviate their hurt and suffering nor can it bring Rohan back. Your feeling is that if any sentence could bring Rohan back you would embrace that with relish. The impact of this tragedy has been profound on you but never as profound as on the family of Rohan. I am not trying to match Rohan's life against this sentence. It is not just another case appearing before another judge. This is a devastating a tragic case."

As well as the suspended prison sentence and drive ban, King will have to take an extend retest before he is ever allowed to drive again after his ban.