A DANGEROUS driver has been jailed for nine years after admitting numerous charges following an incident which killed a motorcyclist.

Adrian Bendell was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, February 9.

The 50-year-old admitted charges of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, and failing to report a collision.

Bendell, of Salcott Creek Court, Braintree was sentenced following an incident on August 10 last year.

Warning: the pictures included in this article may be distressing to some readers 

Essex Police were called after a motorcyclist was hit by a van shortly before 8pm.

Mark Norris, 47, had been riding his motorbike along Ongar Road, near Herons Lane in Fyfield.

In the collision, he was knocked from is motorbike and died at the scene.

Gazette: Smashed - Dashcam footage showed Bendell's van after the collision (Essex Police)Smashed - Dashcam footage showed Bendell's van after the collision (Essex Police)

Mr Norris's 17 year-old pillion passenger was also seriously injured, needing treatment for a bleed on the brain and pelvic injuries.

Despite extensive medical treatment, as a result of the collision she has permanently lost the use of one arm.

Essex Police say the van, a white Ford Escort van, failed to stop at the scene.

It was caught on the dash cam of another vehicle which showed it heavily damaged.

Gazette: Victim - Mark Norris was killed in the collision (Essex Police)Victim - Mark Norris was killed in the collision (Essex Police)

Through their investigation, officers from Essex Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) identified the vehicle was registered to Adrian Bendell.

At the time of the collision he had been driving on the wrong side of the road.

By studying CCTV Essex Police established Bendell’s route from the site of the collision, past The Kicking Dicky pub which would be the expected route to his home address.

While continuing to search for Bendell and his vehicle, officers received information on August 12 that the vehicle had been taken to a scrap yard in Cressing.

Gazette: Crushed - Adrian Bendell's van was taken to a scrapyard (Essex Police)Crushed - Adrian Bendell's van was taken to a scrapyard (Essex Police)

Executing a warrant at the yard – EAS Environmental – officers found Bendell had taken the van there on the day of the collision.

White Ford vehicle parts were also found in a skip at the scrap yard.

Bendell, having spoken to the owner of the scrap yard who had told him to hand himself in, was located and arrested by officers on August 13, three days after the collision.

Gazette: Crushed - Adrian Bendell's van was disposed of (Essex Police)Crushed - Adrian Bendell's van was disposed of (Essex Police)

He was charged and admitted all charges at Chelmsford Crown Court on September 14, apart from perverting the course of justice.

Yesterday (Wednesday 9 February) he also admitted the offence of Perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to a total of nine years.

Bendell was also disqualified for seven and-a-half years and will be required to take an extended driving test.

Investigating officer Inspector Mark Fraser, from SCIU, said: “Mark Norris was dearly loved by those who knew him and his death has had an massive impact on them.

“Adrian Bendell was reckless and his actions after the collision were callous.

“Rather than stop to try and help Mark and his passenger, he made off, leaving him to die.

“His first thought was how he could cover his tracks and dispose of the vehicle.

“Through the dedication of the team working on this case, he was unable to get away with his crime and has now faces justice.

“No conviction or sentence can ever bring Mark back but I hope this result will help his family move forward.”