Physio jailed for biker death

A physiotherapist from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was today starting a one-year jail term for causing the death of a motorcyclist in a crash.

Luisa Grundmann, of St Osmonds Road, Poole in Dorset, formerly of Bala, Gwynedd, was sent to prison yesterday.

Grundmann denied causing the death of 47-year-old David Smith by dangerous driving, but was convicted by a jury last month.

Llandudno Crown Court heard yesterday that the 26-year-old had been on her way to work in Shrewsbury when the accident occurred.

The tragedy happened on the A494 Bala to Corwen road in North Wales last June when she tried to overtake two vehicles.

Sentencing, Judge Roger Dutton told Grundmann the jury had decided her driving fell "far below" the standard of a competent driver.

He said: "This was not just an error of judgment. It was a dangerous manoeuvre at a bad place."

The prosecution said Grundmann swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle, but her car spun out of control and collided with Mr Smith who was approaching from the opposite direction.

Mr Smith, of Stafford, a civilian operator with the fire service, was on his way to a holiday in North Wales.

Defence barrister Duncan Bould said Grundmann tried to help Mr Smith until an ambulance arrived.

She was banned from driving for four years and must take an an extended test.