FIVE motorcyclists are on trial charged with dangerous driving after their friend died in a crash in Bracknell.
Christopher Burn, Terry Fox, Simon Parsons, John Murdoch, and Neil Woodliffe were charged by police after the crash on July 20, 2021, on the southbound slip road off the A3095.
It is alleged that the group, which had met at a service station in London Road earlier that day, had been driving at dangerously high speeds when Ruth Harrison, a woman in her 30s, lost control of her bike and crossed the central reservation.
READ MORE: Man caught with extreme pornographic image involving animal
She was hit by oncoming traffic and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Now, the five men who were driving alongside Ruth on the day of the crash are standing trial for driving dangerously.
Fox, 40, and Woodliffe, 43, have also been charged with intent to pervert the course of justice after allegedly hiding their body-worn camera footage from police after the incident.
The trial was opened at Reading Crown Court on Monday (November 27) after a twelve-strong jury panel were sworn in.
It was heard that the five defendants, alongside Ruth and two other men, met at the Shell Filling Station in London Road after arranging a meeting in a WhatsApp group.
READ MORE: WANTED: Police hunt man believed to be sleeping rough
The barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “They described how they would drive their motorbikes and practise manoeuvres.
“There were [messages] about hiding recording devices from police if they were stopped so we say the defendants were anticipating driving in a dangerous manner.”
It is the prosecution’s case that the group of motorcyclists then set off from the garage before hitting speeds of 125 miles per hour in 30 miles per hour speed zones.
“Their riding was manifestly dangerous,” said the CPS. “They were driving 90mph in 30mph zones. In 50mph zones they reached 100mph.
“They took, the prosecution say, the riding positions more aligned to a race track rather than a Tuesday evening in Bracknell.”
After Ruth lost control of her motorcycle, police attended the crash where all the defendants had stopped at the roadside.
Police asked if there was any footage and it is alleged Fox and Woodliffe concealed their cameras and lied to police.
It is claimed that Fox later handed his footage over, claiming he ‘was in shock’ when first asked for it while Woodliffe allegedly handed the wrong SD cards to officers.
READ MORE: Hospital patient defecated on floor and smeared it on windows after assault
Following a search warrant, the correct SD cards were found ‘hidden’ in an Ibuprofen box by the computer.
The trial continues.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article