A MOTORIST who blamed an innocent biker for a crash which killed him has been sentenced to do unpaid work in the community.

Judge David Hatton QC told Michelle Marshall, 54, that she had set out to blame Dominic Lee, a Warrington based businessman, for last year's fatal collision.

Marshall, from Grassington, was found guilty by a jury last month of causing the death of the motorcyclist, aged 49, by careless driving.

A two-day trial at Bradford Crown Court had heard that Marshall pulled out on to the A65 at Skipton in front of Mr Lee at about 9.15pm on May 1, 2013.

Mr Lee, from Trawden, was thrown from his machine and died later that night. He was a partner in Boulsworth Services, a Westbrook-based business training company At Tuesday's sentencing hearing, Judge Hatton told Marshall that the collision was ‘caused by a momentary lack of either concentration or attention on your part’.

He added: "It is very difficult, in my judgment, to envisage how this accident could not have been your fault.

"Sadly, nevertheless, you set out to blame what in my judgment was an innocent man for your failure."

Judge Hatton added: "I have, despite what I have read, detected little by way of overt remorse, although I accept, certainly inwardly, there is such an element and that you yourself have suffered emotionally for what you must live with for the rest of your life."

Marshall was told to complete 250 hours' unpaid work and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for one year. She must also pay a victims surcharge of £60.

Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, from Skipton Roads Policing Group, welcomed Marshall's sentence.

He said: “Michelle Marshall has shown no remorse for her actions throughout the court proceedings and even tried to blame Dominic for the collision.

“I would like to pay tribute to Dominic’s family for the dignity they have shown in such tragic circumstances and I hope that Marshall’s sentence can bring them some degree of comfort.“