A driver whose trailer collided with a motorcylist on the A56 Sutton Causeway in Frodsham last year has been found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

A jury of six men and six women took less than an hour to unanimously convict 31-year-old Richard Warner of causing 28-year-old Philip Hawkins' death as he turned right from the single carriageway into Mill Lane on April 2, 2013.

Mr Hawkins had been driving his Yamaha Thunderace motorbike along the A56 in the opposite direction to Warner, heading towards Sutton Weaver, when he collided with the trailer being towed by Warner's Land Rover Discovery.

According to Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rogers, Mr Hawkins died almost immediately from multiple injuries.

Warner, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, earlier told the trial at Chester Crown Court that he turned right when it was 'safe for me to do so' and that he drives 'carefully'.

He had been towing a generator back to his place of work, Golden Triangle Generators.

PC Robert Wilson of Cheshire Constabulary’s collision investigation unit told the jury during the four-day trial that Mr Hawkins' bike would have already been established on Sutton Weaver Bridge when Warner started the manoeuvre.

PC Wilson also said he was ‘confident’ that the motorbike was travelling more than 30mph but could not say it was substantially more.

Warner will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on November 24.

He will remain on unconditional bail until then.