A victim impact statement read by widow Fabienne Richmond reduced many in the court to tears including the driver, Andrew Irish.

The jury had heard that that Irish, a manager with Leyland Trucks, took a bend too fast. He then collided with 35-year-old Daniel Richmond, who was coming the other way.

Such was the impact of the collision on Runshaw Lane, Euxton on April 13 last year that part of the bike was sent hurtling over the bridge onto the motorway below.

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Irish, 38, of Andertons Mill, Mawdesley, told how a blue Astra had been close behind him making him feel pushed and Judge David Aubrey said he accepted his driving had been “compromised by the existence of the Astra”.

He pointed out that the tragedy happened at an accident blackspot and chevron signs had not been replaced after being damaged earlier.

“This case represents a human tragedy which has devastated two close loving families,” he said.

Judge Aubrey told Irish, who is being treated for post traumatic stress disorder and depression: “I am satisfied you are a broken man. You are described by a psychiatrist as having severe thoughts of guilt and express self-hatred.”

Irish was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and jailed for two years and banned from driving for three. The jury at Liverpoool Crown Court heard that Irish had been travelling at about 52mph on the road which has a 60mph limit and he said he had not seen the red warning bars and ‘slow’ written on the road.