Driver sentenced after death of young rugby player in Gomersal

A MOTORIST who cut a corner, killing a teenage rugby player on a scooter has been given a six-month suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court.

Colin Thompson struck Sam Morrill, 16, at the junction of Oxford Road and Quarry Road in Gomersal.

Thompson said people frequently cut the corner because of the good view.

Sam, who played rugby for the under-17 team at Old Brodleians in Hipperholme, died at the scene.

Det Con Christine Freeman read a statement to the court from Sam’s father John Morrill.

Mr Morrill said that no parent should go through such agony. He described his son as intelligent, hard-working and very popular.

Sam went to Gomersal First School, Gomersal Middle School and Whitcliffe Mount in Cleckheaton, before beginning work as an apprentice electrician at Pitts Wilson in Bradford.

He was a keen rugby player and hoped to follow his older brother Ben into the first team at Old Brodleians.

Thompson, 24, of Oxford Road in Gomersal, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC gave him a 24-week jail sentence suspended for two years. Thompson must also do 300 hours unpaid work and pay £535 costs. He was banned from driving for two years and must retake his test.