A scooter rider was killed after a young woman drove into him at high speed while sending a selfie to her boyfriend from her mobile phone.
David Sinar, 64, was travelling at 40mph on his brand-new Lambretta when Amber Potter, 23, slammed into him at 70mph.
She had exchanged a series of messages with her partner and other friends while travelling home to Norfolk from Somerset, where she had been visiting friends.
Potter was sending a photo of her winking and sticking her tongue out to her partner when she hit Mr Sinar on the A11 dial carriageway near Roudham, Norfolk.
She later told police the rear lights on her victim's scooter hadn't been on at the time – although CCTV from a garage proved she was lying.
Amber Potter (pictured) has been jailed forhree-and-a-half years after she admitted causing death by dangerous driving. David Sinar, 64, was travelling at 40mph on his brand-new Lambretta when Potter, 23, slammed into him at 70mph
The victim David Sinar.After he was killed, his family said: 'We are devastated following David's death. 'He touched the lives of so many people and leaves behind a loving wife, 16-year-old son, a 95-year-old mother, a brother and sister, nephews and nieces, who are all devastated by his passing and will never get over the fact he has been taken from us'
Judge Katharine Moore – who jailed her for three-and-a-half years after she admitted causing death by dangerous driving - told her: 'He was there for all drivers to see – all those who had their eyes on the road, that is.'
Shop worker Potter, of Norwich, was in her Vauxhall Corsa on her way back from Glastonbury on September 15, 2021, when she drove into the back of father-of-one Mr Sinar, a 'very competent' motorcyclist and cyclist who had bought his scooter that day.
Emergency services were called but the former vehicle inspector and motor parts delivery driver, who had semi-retired to spend more time with his 95-year-old mother, was declared dead at the scene.
Prosecutor Chris Youell told Norwich Crown Court yesterday that Potter had taken photos of herself and exchanged phone and Facebook messages throughout her journey.
Of 55 messages found, 20 included audio clips with background road noise that indicated she was driving at the time.
Evidence from the scene showed she had been so distracted she failed to slow down before the crash or make any attempt to avoid Mr Sinar.
Matthew McNiff, defending, said Potter's use of her phone had been 'sporadic stupidity'.
He added: 'She does recognise the terrible damage that she has done, that a life has been lost and that she has to live with that.
'She is not callous. Her remorse is genuine and heartfelt.'
But the judge told Potter the use of her phone while at the wheel had been 'gravely inappropriate' and had caused a 'grossly avoidable distraction'.
Shop worker Potter, of Norwich, was in her Vauxhall Corsa on her way back from Glastonbury on September 15, 2021, when she drove into the back of father-of-one Mr Sinar
Mr Sinar had cycled for Great Britain in his youth and owned a range of motorbikes over the years, including Harley-Davidsons and Royal Enfields, as well as scooters. As a teenager, he had the chance to become a professional cyclist but didn't take up the opportunity as he lost his father to motor neurone disease
Norwich Crown Court where Potter was sentenced.Judge Katharine Moore told Potter: 'He was there for all drivers to see – all those who had their eyes on the road, that is' (stock image)
Mr Sinar had cycled for Great Britain in his youth and owned a range of motorbikes over the years, including Harley-Davidsons and Royal Enfields, as well as scooters.
As a teenager, he had the chance to become a professional cyclist but didn't take up the opportunity as he lost his father to motor neurone disease.
In 1985, he set a land speed record while riding a type of tandem bicycle called the Dark Horse with fellow cyclist Trevor Bull.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 but had a major operation that year and went on to raise thousands of pounds for charities including Macmillan, Prostate Cancer UK and the Teenage Cancer Trust in a series of cycling challenges.
After he was killed, his family said: 'We are devastated following David's death.
'He touched the lives of so many people and leaves behind a loving wife, 16-year-old son, a 95-year-old mother, a brother and sister, nephews and nieces, who are all devastated by his passing and will never get over the fact he has been taken from us.'
Judge Katharine Moore told Potter that her victim's family had been left in 'complete devastation' by her actions.
'No life can be gauged by the length of a sentence,' she added.
Potter was also banned from driving for 45 months, after which she must re-sit her driving test.
In a victim impact statement read out to court, Mrs Sinar's widow [trying to confirm name but I think it's Joanne] said she had lost her 'best friend and soulmate' who had been 'cruelly taken from us'.
She added: 'I will never forgive Amber Potter for what she has done to our family. She could have avoided it if she had simply obeyed the rules of the road.'
