A MAN has been sentenced to one year and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to causing the death of a teenager after an incident in a Whitchurch road.

Mohammed Zaman, 32, from Wimbourne Gardens, Reading, pleaded guilty yesterday (Tuesday, June 6) to causing the death of 16-year-old Macaully (Mac) Sutcliffe, from Applegate, St Mary Bourne, who was riding a moped at the time.

The incident took place on Friday, 14 October, last year at the junction of Bloswood Lane, and Harroway near Whitchurch.

The court heard how Zaman, who was driving a Mercedes Vito van had ignored the give way signs on approach to the junction. He had also not paid significant attention to his sat nav which warned of the junction ahead. He had seen the moped was indicating but told police in interview he had misinterpreted the direction of the indication.

While passing sentence, the judge praised the 16-year-old victim’s exemplary riding and said all the fault for the collision lay with Zaman.

As well as the 20-month custodial sentence, his licence was endorsed and he was given 2 years 10 months disqualification.

Speaking on behalf of Mac’s family his dad the Rev Richard Sutcliffe said: “No court sentence can help to fill the gap that is left following the death of our son, Mac.

“As well as missing his presence now, we have huge regrets for his future that was so cruelly cut short. We are enormously proud of the fine young man that he had become. He touched many people and we all miss him dreadfully.

“We are very grateful for all of the support we have received from so many people at this difficult time.”