The grief-stricken mother of a young motorcyclist killed in a road accident in England has urged drivers from Bermuda to be extra vigilant when in the UK.

Barbara’s Ruewell’s son William died instantly when Bermuda resident Malcolm Griffiths pulled out in front of him on a busy road close to the village of Bury in West Sussex. Mr Griffiths, 69, who was a gardening columnist for The Royal Gazette, said the accident was “a profound tragedy” and that his heart went out to Mr Ruewell’s family.

He was found guilty of causing death by careless driving last week at Chichester Magistrates’ Court where he was fined £5,000 and banned from driving for two years.

Mrs Ruewell said that her family had been through some “dark times” in the wake of her son’s tragic death, but were now trying to move forward.

“The family feels that the sentence was fair and right according to what the judge had at his disposal,” she said.

“But it does not make a difference and I feel like any mother would in this situation. Next Saturday would have been William’s 21st birthday and it has been very hard for us. We have come together as a family and we are trying to move forward.”

Mrs Ruewell described her son as a “sporty young man who was friends with everyone”.

“He was a lovely young man. He had a passion for motorbikes and had just got a job working as a mechanic.

“He loved sailing and was a keen footballer too,” she said.

“As a tribute to him the Chichester College Motorbike Show have created the William Ruewell Memorial Trophy, while his sailing club have brought in an award for the youngster who shows the most progress in William’s memory.

“William’s friends also raised $1,400 from a charity football match for the special needs school, St Dominic’s in Hambledon, that William attended as a child.”

Mr Griffiths was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving before later being charged with the lesser offence of causing death by careless driving.

He said: “This was a profound tragedy. My heart goes out to the family because listening to the statements read out in court this young man had a great capacity for life and had overcome a lot. It is an absolute tragedy from that point of view.”

Mr Ruewell had been riding with his best friend, Christopher James, when the accident took place on the A29 on August 24, last year.

Mr James, who gave evidence for the prosecution in Mr Griffiths’ trial, was commended by the trial judge for the way he handled himself in court.

Mrs Ruewell said: “During the trial the judge said: ‘we are all good drivers until the day we are not’ and it’s a good point. It’s a matter of being aware of what is going on around you and particularly of people who are more vulnerable like motorcyclists.

“The roads in England are incredibly busy now; there are more cars, trucks and bikes than ever before. People in Bermuda where the speed limit is less and there are less cars on the roads may not be used to this.

“I would urge people coming back to the UK from Bermuda to take extra care on our roads and be extra vigilant.

“This kind of thing can happen in the twinkling of an eye and there is no going back after that.”