Van driver jailed after crash with motorbike in Great Sankey

Jim Loveridge collided with the biker while travelling down St Mary’s Road at the junction with the A57 Liverpool Road.

Thankfully, the victim only suffered ‘light injuries’ as a result of the crash, which one witness said could have been a lot worse had traffic been heavier.

Loveridge, of Pringle Street in Rochdale, was arrested by police on nearby Station Road and charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance.

The 39-year-old was convicted of the offences in his absence following a trial at Warrington Magistrates’ Court in December, but he continues to deny the charges.

He was hauled back before the court on Wednesday to learn his fate, with magistrates stating that suspending his sentence was not appropriate given the seriousness of the offences.

Prosecutor Angela Blackmore told the court how Loveridge was driving a Ford Transit van along St Mary’s Road on May 29 at around 3.45pm.

Meanwhile, while the victim was travelling along the A57 in the direction of Bold Heath on his blue motorbike before being hit by the defendant.

An eyewitness said that the bike was being driven under the speed limit, with traffic being light.

The witness added that they expected the van driver to get out, but when he started to drive again, the witness said to his wife: “He’s not going to stop.”

The collision happened on Liverpool Road at the junction with St Mary's Road (Image: Google Maps)

The victim sustained minor injuries to knees, arms and hands, as well as whiplash, which was diagnosed following an assessment in hospital.

Ms Blackmore revealed to the court that father-of-four Loveridge had 10 previous convictions for 18 offences.

Rachel Oakdine, defending, said that her client would be appealing the conviction, with a bail application pending his appeal set to be heard before Chester Crown Court this morning, Tuesday.

She said: “The defendant continues to deny the allegations, so it is difficult to deal with any mitigation.

“The conviction is being challenged, but the defendant is fully aware that the court has to sentence him today.

“The trial went ahead in defendant’s absence, despite material evidence that he was self-isolating.

“He believed that the trial had been adjourned, and when he found out that it hadn’t, he surrendered himself to police.”

Before sentencing, chair magistrate Jane Fairburn said: “Having considered everything we have heard, we believe the offences do pass the custody threshold.

“We gave lengthy consideration to suspending the sentence, but due to the circumstances and seriousness of the offence, this was not appropriate.”

Loveridge was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, banned from driving for 17 months and fined £328.