AN ice cream man has avoided jail — after his van hit a motorcycle, killing a “loving and caring” animal rescue centre worker.

Andrew Wood was flung from his KTM motorbike, suffering severe head and internal injuries, in the crash in April last year, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Ice cream man Mohammed Khan was yesterday banned from driving and ordered to complete 180 hours community service.

The court heard that 23-year-old Mr Wood “loved life” and was planning to look at homes to buy with his girlfriend in the week of the crash in Radcliffe Road, The Haulgh.

His mum, Gillian Wood, paid tribute to her “beautiful, loving, caring son” who would “do anything for anyone”.

In a statement read to the court, she said: “All he ever wanted to do was to settle down with his girlfriend and have a family.

“The week he passed away he was going to look at a house to buy with his girlfriend Katie — but this never happened.

“People have told me that the pain will heal, but I don’t think that it will. I was so proud of my son — he would do anything for anybody. He just loved life and he was loved by all his friends and family.”

Mr Wood was driving within the speed limit in Bradford Street on April 12 last year before being hit by Khan as he turned right into Radcliffe Road, the court heard.

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

Catherine Cundy, prosecuting, told the court that Khan had been driving his Ford Transit van at about 5.45pm, when he signalled to turn right.

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She said: “He turned right and across the path of the oncoming motorcyclist. Mr Wood swerved to the left to take evasive action but was unable to avoid colliding with the van.”

The father-of-five, of Bradford Park Drive, who has no previous convictions, had been due to stand trial earlier this year, but pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on the day the trial was due to start.

Mohammed Nawaz, defending, said: “It was a lapse of concentration for a few moments. It was nothing intentional or deliberate. He was not speeding. He waited for a gap and began his turn but sadly did not see him.

“While Andrew’s family carries the grief, he carries the guilt that caused his life to end.”

Judge Timothy Clayson said: “You are a family man who has worked for many years and you have lost your job as a result. It is a shame that you did not have the courage to face up to this at an earlier time.”

Khan was given a two-year community order and must carry out 180 hours unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £750 towards prosecution costs.