A MOTORIST who killed an elderly man in an accident after repeatedly tailgating other cars moments earlier has been sentenced to six months behind bars.

Harvey Amey, aged 21, of Victoria Gardens, Trowbridge, appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court, yesterday, where he admitted causing death by careless driving following an accident on the B3082 Badbury Rings Road, near Wimborne, early afternoon on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, 2018.

Prosecuting Charlie Gabb told the court how victim Raymond Pike – known to friends and family as Cliff – died in hospital some four-and-a-half months later, as a result of the serious chest injuries he suffered in the accident.

Statements prepared by Mr Pike's family and read in court highlighted how the 84-year-old's death was a long, confusing and painful one - described by the family as 'hellish for us all'.

Amey, who was 19-years-old at the time of the accident, had been driving his girlfriend to the coast in his Vauxhall Corsa car.

Witnesses spoken to in the aftermath of the smash told police how Amey had repeatedly accelerated closely behind them as if impatient.

One driver, Paul Forster, who was hauling a caravan behind his Land Rover recalled saying to his wife 'we've got a right idiot here' before Amey overtook him, the court was told.

Later down the road, when traffic in front on him stopped for a car to make a right turn, Amey was not paying attention and ran into the car in front of him, which, in turn, span him into the path of an oncoming Renault Clio travelling in the opposite direction.

The occupants of the Renault were all members of the same family, returning to Blandford from a morning at Pamphill Green Fete, Wimborne.

Mr Pike senior was the front seat passenger in the vehicle, which was being driven by his son, Andrew Pike.

Seated behind them were Mr Pike's wife, Cynthia, the couple's daughter, Susan Downs, and their granddaughter Emily Downs.

Mr Pike suffered serious injuries and would spend the next four-and -a-half months in various hospitals with his family regularly at his bedside.

His wife, Cynthia, who before the crash was able to get around on a walking frame, also suffered significant injuries.

As a result of these injuries, the court was told, she lost much independence and had to visit her husband in a wheelchair.

In a victim impact statement from Mr Pike's son Andrew, which was read to the court, he said: "That day he (Amey) could have wiped out three generations of my family in the blink of an eye.

"This day will haunt me forever. He (Mr Pike senior) was taken from us and suffered a hideous death."

Timothy Compton, defending, told the court how the Amey, of previous good character, had drafted a letter to the Pike family, expressing his deepest regret and guilt for his carelessness.

Sentencing Amey to six months, Judge Stephen Clime acknowledged the defendant's actions were neither purposeful or malicious.

However, Judge Climie said Amey's actions had devastating consequences for Mr Pike and his family.

"This tragedy will live with the Pike family and also you for the rest of their lives and also yours," said Judge Climie