A COMMISSIONING engineer said to have killed a motorcyclist when he was crushed under his car on the M65, was an experienced driver and had never had an accident, a jury heard.

Father-of-two Mark Walsh, 35, had no criminal convictions or cautions and was a 'solid family man,' his barrister told Burnley Crown Court.

The court had heard how Walsh allegedly slammed his brakes on suddenly, making motorcyclist Peter Sarchet, 41, from Worsthorne, fall off and slide under the vehicle.

Walsh had been heading to work in Warrington in his company Vauxhall Insignia.

He was said to have been driving on the clear westbound carriageway, between junctions one and two, at less than 10mph and steering to the left. He ‘all but stopped,’ alleged prosecutor Robert Elias.

Mr Sarchet suffered multiple injuries affecting the spine and liver and probably died instantly.

Walsh, of Balliol Close, Padiham, denies causing the death of Mr Sarchet by dangerous driving, on the M65, at Walton-le- Dale, on November 1, 2011.

The court was told the defendant was interviewed at Burnley Police Station on December 21 and gave a prepared statement. He said he was a family man living in Hapton, worked at Schneider Electrical and was of good character.

Walsh did not give evidence in the trial.

His counsel, Alistair MacDonald QC told the jury the case was ‘utterly tragic.’ Mr MacDonald said: “Something must have happened ahead of the defendant to explain why he slammed his brakes on. It’s just inconceivable that he did it as an act of devilment. Why on earth would somebody like that do something as stupid, as dangerous as that alleged by the Crown?”

(Proceeding)