Man from Reading jailed for dangerous driving
He was involved in a fatal collision in Bracknell
A man has been jailed for dangerous driving in Bracknell.
Neil Woodliffe, aged 43, of Berkshire Drive, Tilehurst, was found guilty of dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice in a two week trial at Reading Crown Court concluding on Friday 8 December last year.
At the same hearing, Terry Fox, aged 40, of Ermin Walk, Thatcham and Christopher Burn, aged 31, of Snowdrop Grove, Winnersh were also found guilty of dangerous driving. Fox was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice.
John Murdoch, aged 37, of Lysander Drive, Bracknell, was found not guilty of dangerous driving, and was found guilty of careless driving as an alternative.
Steven Barry, aged 45, of Ellis Road, Crowthorne, pleaded guilty to careless driving at the beginning of the trial, on 27 November last year.
Simon Parsons, aged 37, of Falcon Way, Bracknell, was acquitted of dangerous driving.
Sentences
On 29 February, Woodliffe was sentenced to a total of one year and four months’ imprisonment, eight months each for dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice to run concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for one year with an eight month extension and will be required to take an extended re-test.
Fox was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for a year. He was also disqualified from driving for one year and will be required to take an extended retest. He was also ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work, and pay £1,500 in costs.
Murdoch and Barry were both sentenced to six points on their driving license. Murdoch was also ordered to pay £900 in fees and costs and Barry was ordered to pay £350.
Burn is due to be sentenced on a date yet to be determined.
Collision
On 20 July 2021, Woodliffe, Fox, Murdoch, Barry and Parsons were riding motorbikes on the A332, when they took the junction onto Mill Lane towards Wildridings Road. A fatal collision occurred, and three dash cams were removed and concealed by Woodliffe and Fox prior to police arrival.
During the investigation, officers identified they had cameras fitted at the time of the collision, and found that Woodliffe hid his SD card in a medicine box.
The men were arrested on 27 July 2021 and charged via postal requisition on 14 September 2022.
Needless risks
Investigating officer PC James Baker, of the Joint Roads Policing Unit, said:
“This conviction demonstrates the seriousness of Woodliffe’s driving, which fell far below that of a competent driver.
“It was clear to see the defendant was willing to take needless risks and in doing so put other road users at risk of serious harm.
“We will not tolerate behaviour such as this on our roads, and will robustly pursue and prosecute those who feel it’s acceptable to disregard the law.”