AN ice cream van driver has been told he will not face jail over the death of a motorcyclist.

Mohammed Khan pleaded guilty at Bolton Crown Court yesterday to causing the death of Andrew Wood through careless driving on April 12 last year.

Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, told the court how 49-year-old Khan had been driving a Ford Transit ice cream van in Bradford Street, The Haulgh, on the Friday evening in busy rush hour traffic.

He signalled to turn right into Radcliffe Road, but began the manoeuvre without seeing an oncoming KTM motorcycle heading towards him in Bradford Street.

The two vehicles collided and 23-year-old Mr Wood, an animal rescue centre worker, suffered serious head injuries.

He died the following day after being taken to Salford Royal Hospital.

Yesterday Khan, of Bradford Park Drive, Bolton, was due to stand trial for causing death by careless driving, but changed his plea to guilty.

Mohammed Nawaz, defending, said Khan had no previous convictions.

Mr Nawaz told the court: “He is utterly devastated by the consequences of the collision.

"It was no more than a couple of seconds of lack of concentration and inattention. In all other respects he had taken account of the conditions.”

The case was adjourned for reports to be prepared and Khan was granted bail. He will be sentenced on September 10 but Judge Clayson stated that Khan would not face a prison sentence.

An interim disqualification was made banning him from driving.