A SOUTHAMPTON motorcyclist with a "gentle soul" died at the hands of a careless driver, a jury has found.

Gillian Watts, 38, was riding with two friends when a motorist pulled out onto an A road without checking.

Her mother described her as "a gentle soul who gave so much to her friends and family".

Margaret Blake, from Fovant, Wiltshire, was found guilty by a jury of causing her death in March 2020.

The 74-year-old left Ansty Farm Shop on March 21 of that year, driving a Volkswagen Golf.

She pulled out onto the A30 and collided with Gillian, who died at the scene.

Police say she "failed to ensure the road was clear".

Last week, Blake appeared at Salisbury Crown Court where a jury found her guilty of causing death by careless driving.

She was given a two-year free standing community order, was disqualified from driving for two years with an extended re-test, and fined £1,000.

Det Con Rachel Catling, of the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: "Blake had sufficient time to see and react to the presence of the motorbike and avoid the collision, however, she failed to ensure the road was clear before turning right onto the A30, and tragically collided with the motorcyclist.

"This was a tragic loss of life – Gillian was just 38 years old when she lost her life while out on her bike with friends.

"Her family have been devastated by her death and in a victim impact statement, her mother described how every morning she wakes up struggling to understand how the family will live with the pain of her daughter’s passing every day.

"She described Gillian as a gentle soul who gave so much to her friends and family. Our thoughts are with them all at this difficult time."

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