Driver found guilty of causing motorcyclist's A27 death

Jurors at Portsmouth Crown Court took less than two hours to convict Ben Challinor of Mark Copley's death on the A27 last year.

Challinor, of Battens Way, Havant had denied the charge following the crash on April 30 last year.

The court heard Challinor, 33, was joining the A27 eastbound carriageway, from the Hilsea slip road, when he pulled into the fast lane ahead of victim Mark Copley who was riding his motorbike.

The 51-year-old victim collided with the central reservation after trying to avoid the defendant's white Kia.

Mr Copley suffered multiple injuries including a severe head injury after hitting one of the struts on the central reservation and was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

Mr Copley died 10 days later of his injuries.

Giving evidence during the three-day trial Challinor insisted he had not seen Mr Copley and it was only when he looked in his rear view mirror and saw the motorbike on the carriageway that he slowed down.

He also denied evidence given earlier in the trial by a witness that he moved across the three lanes '˜at pace' after joining the A27.

Challinor will be sentenced on November 13.