A POPULAR father of three died when a disqualified driver pulled out of a side road in front of his motorbike.

Martyn William Bristow, 32, died when his Suzuki 600 collided with a black Toyota Avensis, an inquest heard this week, .

Steven Davies, 44, who was disqualified in 1994 and has never passed a driving test, pulled out of The Boulevard, Great Sutton, leaving the young father nowhere to go.

Mr Bristow, who was travelling along Sutton Way, was thrown into the air, according to eye-witnesses, and died at the scene on May 29, 2007.

Davies and partner Joanne Hollingsworth, 32, both of The Boulevard, were brought into the inquiry by minders because feelings were running high.

In a police statement read to the court, Davies admitted taking the car keys for Hollingworth’s company car so they could celebrate his father’s birthday at The Seahorse pub, Hope Farm Road.

Coroner Janet Napier was told Davies reached the junction and had trouble getting a decent view.

Driver Naomi Johnson said she had turned left moments before to avoid having to take on a tricky right hand turn. However, witnesses said Davies had travelled into Sutton Way in a single smooth motion.

Mr Bristow, a qualified and experienced rider, had overtaken a Citroen C3 moments before the collision. But driver David Jones said Mr Bristow had slowed down at least 100 yards before the fatal incident.

But collision investigator Michael Baddeley said: “He was driving at between 49 and 60 mph and the speed limit was 30 mph.”

This estimate was disputed by Tim Grover, representing the Bristow family.

Davies then admitted allowing Hollingsworth to take the blame for the collision. He later told police he had behind the wheel after his partner was confronted by police and witnesses.

Verdict: Misadventure.