'Our lives have shattered': Motorbike rider jailed for causing death of much-loved Leeds grandad

An unlicensed motorbike rider who knocked down and killed a much-loved grandad in Leeds has been locked up.

Reece Manley, 26, was seen hitting speeds 20 mph over the limit moments before striking a pedestrian on March 26, 2022.

The defendant was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle along the A6110 Beeston Ring Road towards Wortley when he struck and killed 75-year-old Alan Lloyd.

He was unlicensed and uninsured.

Manley, of Welford Road, Filey, pleaded guilty to causing the death by careless driving two days into his trial.

He was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today (Wednesday September 2).

Mr Lloyd had been at a Wetherspoons pub in Bingley with a friend before making his way home to East Ardsley, when the collision took place.

West Yorkshire Police quickly attended and provided CPR at the scene but he was pronounced dead at Leeds General Infirmary.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Lloyd’s family said: “Our dad wasn’t ready to go and we as a family were not prepared to lose him in such a way. We didn’t get to hug dad, tell him we loved him and say goodbye.

“Dad was also a grandad who has been deprived of quality time watching Ben and his wife, Nicola's children, Jacob and Isabelle grow up. Dad was a loving and brilliant Grandad to his grandkids. Dad was a big part of their lives with many family get togethers. We are a close family, and dad is sadly missed and will continue to be.

“From this day our lives have been shattered, the stress and anxiety that the loss of Dad has caused, has been immense on all the family.”

Filey was jailed for for 14 months.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Nina Roper of the Major Collision Enquiry Team (MCET) said: “Mr Lloyd’s death has clearly devastated his family as their victim statement has made clear, and our thoughts remain with them today.

“The actions of Reece Manley robbed them of making more precious memories with a much-loved father and grandfather who was enjoying his retirement after a lifetime of hard work. “Manley’s riding on that night was clearly unsafe and has resulted in Mr Lloyd and his family paying the ultimate price for his recklessness.

“The fact that Manley was also prepared to ride unlicensed and uninsured speaks volumes for his attitude to the safety of others.

“We hope seeing him admit causing Mr Lloyd’s death can at least bring his relatives some measure of comfort.”