A MAN who killed a Swindon father-of-two while driving carelessly was sentenced to four months in jail yesterday.

Prakash Odedara, 29, of Sherwood Road, Park South, caused the crash that claimed the life of 23-year-old Gary Lane from Kingsdown on October 2, last year.

During the hearing at Swindon Crown Court, prosecutor Chris Quinlan said Odedara was on his way back from delivering a pizza as he prepared to turn right towards Chicago Jo’s Pizzas, in Windbrook Meadow, from the junction of Ermin Street, in Stratton.

As Odedara’s Smart car started to pull out at about 10mph he collided with Gary’s Aprilia 125cc motorcycle travelling south in the opposite direction at a speed of 30mph, said Mr Quinlan.

Gary was taken by ambulance to the Great Western Hospital but died of his injuries, he said.

“He (Odedara) was clearly at fault,” said Mr Quinlan.

“He looked down the road, but he didn’t look long enough.”

The incident happened at 6.30pm.

Gary’s motorcycle headlight was visible and street lighting was also on, said Mr Quinlan.

Indian-born Odedara, dressed in a smart suit and unbuttoned white shirt, spoke only to confirm his name.

He was with an interpreter throughout the 60-minute hearing.

Marcus Davey, defending Odedara, said a satellite navigation system may have obscured his vision of the incident.

He also said Odedara, a married father-of-one, had not worked since the crash and was a man of good character.

He said Odedara, who had an Indian driving licence and a provisional UK licence, was remorseful over the part he played in the tragic incident.

Sentencing Odedara, Judge Douglas Field said: “He (Odedara) failed to see the motorcyclist. He should have been able to have seen him.

“This is a devastating tragedy, which the family may never get over.”

Odedara was banned from driving for two years.

He was found not guilty of driving the Smart company car with no insurance.

Mr Davey, defending, said Chicago Jo’s Pizzas – the company Odedara worked for – did not have car insurance to be able to deliver pizzas.

Anil Karavardra, from Chicago Jo’s Pizzas, has been charged with having no permit for use of a motor vehicle and will appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 7.

A family statement released by Gary’s father Ernie, his mother Anita and his five siblings, said outside court: “The effect Gary’s death had on our family, friends, his children and total strangers is immeasurable.

“We would like to convey our heartfelt thanks to all those who have shown us so much kindness.

“To the paramedics and doctors who fought to save Gary’s life, to the witnesses at the scene of the collision who comforted out son, to our police liaison officer PC Glenn Powell who has given us so much support and to the press for respecting our privacy – thank you.

“Living without Gary is more difficult than words could ever convey.”