A careless scooter has killed a ‘brilliant’ Royal Navy lad

A motorcyclist who caused the death of a promising Royal Navy boy during a careless overtaking maneuver has been spared jail. Lawrence King, 31, of Baytree Hill, Liskeard, appeared at Truro Crown Court today (Friday 17 May) for sentencing after pleading guilty to causing the death of Rohan Hicks by careless driving .

The court heard how on the evening of June 29, 2022, King had been traveling on a scooter-type motorcycle from Looe 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 the bike and collided head-on with Rohan’s own bike, leaving him no time to take evasive action.

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

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Despite the efforts of paramedics, including the efforts of his own father, Jack, an off-duty paramedic who had arrived at the scene of the accident when he became concerned for Rohan, the innocent boy was tragically pronounced dead at the scene and died at his father’s home. weapons.

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

In very emotional and dignified victim impact statements read to the court, Rohan’s father, Emma’s mother and Rebecca’s aunt told how Rohan’s death had turned their world upside down. Jack told the court how proud the 21-year-old was to join the Royal Navy and wanted to serve his country.

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He said that Rohan had a lot to give in life, but he was robbed of his life and future. He said: “His sister lost her hero. We were all so proud of him.”

Rohan’s mother Emma told the court how much she misses him every day. She said Rohan was “charismatic, kind, caring, ambitious and brilliant with a great moral compass”.

At the time of his death, HMS Sultan’s commanding officer, Captain Jo Deakin, said: “Rohan had exceptionally high personal and professional standards and was yet to achieve 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 aeronautical engineering technician and was on his way up the ranks.

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Deni Mathews, defending, said King had shown remorse and regret and fully acknowledged another person had died as a result of his actions. He said he wished he had died and Rohan had lived. In mitigation, Mr Mathews said King was a man of good character with a great work ethic who was now personally affected by his own actions that night and expressed his wish never to be approached again of a car or a bicycle in his life.

He added: “He absolutely understands the impact of his actions and has shown genuine regret and remorse.”

Sentencing King to 12 months suspended for two years and banning him from driving for five years, Judge Robert Linford said: “Rohan was riding his motorbike and he was doing nothing wrong. He was a blameless young man with a good past and real promise. the future that drove on the right side of the road under the speed limit.

“As a consequence of your actions, he suffered a non-survivable head injury and died, leaving his family devastated. Rohan’s father was a paramedic who came to the scene and saw his own son die before his eyes. The dignified statements his parents read. in court they were among the most heartbreaking I’ve 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 it? It is undeniable that Rohan was a remarkable young man, kind, loved and much loved.with a bright future ahead of him His family has lost a son, a nephew, a brother, a nephew, a lover and a friend.

“No sentence can do anything to ease their hurt and suffering, nor can it bring Rohan back. Your feeling is that if any sentence could bring Rohan back, you would gladly embrace it. The impact of this tragedy has been profound on you, but never as much. deep as in Rohan’s family, I am not trying to fit Rohan’s life with this sentence. It’s not just another case that comes before another judge.

In addition to the suspended jail sentence and driving ban, King will have to sit an extended retest before he is ever allowed to drive again after his ban.