A driver has been jailed for five years after a crash which left a motorcyclist dead.
Nathaniel Simpson, 37, was also banned from driving for seven and a half years after causing the death of 57-year-old Thomas Hoare, of Redgeland Rise, St Leonards.
Simpson denied the charge after he was in a crash at the wheel of his black BMW on the A21 Vinehall Road, at Whatlington, on Monday 6 May 2024.
But Beverly Cripps, prosecuting, said that he was at fault and a jury found him guilty at the end of a week-long trial at Hove Crown Court last month before Judge Roger Chapple.
Yesterday (Wednesday 9 September), Judge Chapple sentenced Simpson at Brighton Crown Court.
The emergency services were called to the crash scene at about 7.25am on Monday 6 May 2024 to reports of a collision involving three cars and a motorbike.
As well as Simpson’s 3 series BMW, Sussex Police said that a grey Honda Jazz, a white Nissan and a gold Triumph Bonneville motorcycle were damaged.
Mr Hoare was pronounced dead at the scene and police arrested Simpson, of Calvert Close, in Sidcup, south east London, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The police operation, Op Bowden, led to the prosecution that ended with Simpson being sentenced yesterday.
An inquest into Mr Hoare’s death was opened and adjourned on Tuesday 21 May 2024. A date has yet to be set for the inquest to be resumed.





