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A lorry tray table which contributed to the death of a much-loved Birmingham Children's Hospital doctor was removed before its MoT - to avoid the HGV failing the test.

But the device was later reinstalled in Robert Bradbury's cab and piled with "junk", meaning he failed to see cyclist Dr Suzanna Bull.

She was killed when the 50-year-old's lorry smashed into her at the junction of Pershore Road and Priory Road in Edgbaston on October 9, 2017.

Now, Bradbury has been jailed for 21 months and banned from the roads for two-years-and-ten months.

He was convicted of causing death by careless driving after a trial.

Bradbury's employer, Coleshill-based S & J Transport, pleaded guilty to failing to discharge its duty contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act. It was fined £112,500 and ordered to pay £3,000 court costs.

After the sentencing hearing, West Midlands Police said the trucker, of Cambridge Way in Acocks Green, told officers he had items displayed on his dashboard and an extra table fitted on top of it, which reduced his visibility.

And police investigations found both Bradbury and his employer knew the table had been removed to avoid failing an MoT in May 2017.

But the table and items such as a fan, sat nav and toys were re-installed the next day and contributed to the collision.

Birmingham Crown Court heard the crash happened when Bradbury indicated left as he approached the junction of Priory Road, but began his manoeuvre without noticing Dr Bull in a dedicated cycle lane.

A jury heard the 32-year-old should have been in full view in Bradbury’s mirror for five seconds as she cycled ahead of him by at least three bike lengths, but the HGV collided with her, causing catastrophic injuries.

The doctor, who was wearing bright pink high-visibility clothing, was pronounced dead at hospital later that day.

In a tribute, her family said: "We tragically lost our beautiful Suzie two years ago, long before her time and with so much more left to give the world. Nothing will ever replace her.

"It devastates us to know that her death was avoidable. The evidence that we have heard in the course of the trial has highlighted several areas of responsibility which need addressing so that similar circumstances in which we lost Suzie do not ever happen again.

"In conclusion we wish to emphasise the grief our family and Suzie’s friends have suffered.

"We are grateful for the work of the Crown Prosecution Service and West Midlands Police for their help and support."

Pc Mark Crozier, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The dashboard tables used by Bradbury and a number of other drivers across the UK are designed to only be used when the vehicle is stationary.

"They are not to be used when driving, as they clearly present a danger. The junk he accumulated on his dashboard contributed to the fatal collision.

“Both Bradbury and his employer knew his view would be impaired, but both their complacency and total lack of regard for the law were the overriding factors that led to the tragic death of Dr Suzanna Bull.

“I hope this sends a serious message to all road hauliers and drivers to review their vehicle checking processes as the safety of all road users is and always should be a priority."