Health and safety consultant in court over fatal hit-and-run

A health and safety consultant has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a 16-year-old motorcyclist in a hit-and-run.

Brian Hampton, 58, faces a string of charges including causing death by careless driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop at an accident and failing to report an accident.

He pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless driving and did not enter a plea to the other charges.

Police launched a nationwide search after moped rider Jade Clark was struck by a Volvo XC90 on the A31 in St Leonards, Dorset, at 8.23pm on February 24.      

A post mortem showed the teenager, from Ringwood, Hampshire, died of a severe head injury.

Officers ruled out more than 1000 vehicles registered between 2003 and 2007 before arresting Hampton, from Shadoxhurst, Kent, and seizing a Volvo XC90.

Rewards totalling £15,000 had been offered for information leading to a charge.

Hampton, who works as a railway health and safety consultant in Poole, Dorset, appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on March 25. He was remanded until April 22 and faces trial at Crown Court. 

Hundreds attended Jade’s funeral on March 22.

Kevin Morrison, watch manager at Ringwood fire station, where she was a member of the Young Fire Fighters Association, said: “Jade was a brilliant young lady.”

A spokesman for the Motorcycle Action Group said: “Jade had every right to be safe on that road that day.”

• A £4000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever placed a large concrete block in a road, causing the death of a motorcyclist.

Jeremy Edwards, 52, was riding his blue Honda CBR at 6.30pm on October 7 last year when he hit the block, left on Dawes Hill Lane in High Wycombe, Bucks.

MAG is offering £1000 and Crimestoppers another £3000.

MAG President Ian Mutch said: “Bikers face enough hazards on the roads without having to contend with behaviour like this. 

“If the culprit is caught, MAG would like to see the law employed to send a powerful message to those who may be misguided enough to think that acts like this are no more than pranks.”

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or MAG on 01926 844064.