A motorcyclist with “a strong dislike verging on hatred for cyclists” has been jailed for eight years over the death of a cyclist four years ago.
Ben Smith, 27, was found guilty in May of the manslaughter of cyclist Steven Jarvie, 62, who died after coming off his bike as Smith sped past him on the Old Pacific Highway at Cowan in February 2017.
Smith didn’t stop to help Jarvie, who later died of his head injuries. Jarvie’s partner Linda Ellis said Smith left him “dying on the side of the road like a piece of garbage.”
Judge Mark Buscombe found Smith “had a strong dislike verging on hatred for cyclists”, and that Smith and his dad were speeding past the cyclists “in a manner that was grossly negligent.”
But he could not satisfy beyond reasonable doubt that Smith deliberately drove too close to Jarvie because of his long and documented hatred of cyclists, hence the manslaughter charge.
Smith was given a non-parole period of five-and-a-half years. He’ll be eligible for release in December 2022.
Source: Fairfax / Daily Telegraph.
Photo: Daily Telegraph / Supplied.
