THE parents of a Barrow motorcyclist whose death was caused by a police officer say the decision not to jail her is too lenient.

PC Patsy Blakeborough avoided prison after being found guilty of causing Scott Gibson’s death by careless driving while on duty.

Last night Mr Gibson’s parents, Roy and Eleanor Gibson, of Lesh Lane, Barrow, said: “We want her to go to prison for what she has done, which we think is fair.”

Blakeborough, 41, was performing a U-turn across the A590 between Barrow and Ulverston when her marked police van was involved in a collision with Mr Gibson’s Honda.

The 23-year-old, of Barrow, suffered multiple injuries in the crash that occurred on April 4 last year. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Blakeborough denied a charge of causing death by careless driving and had been on trial at Carlisle Crown Court since Monday.

Yesterday, a jury of seven men and five women found her unanimously guilty of the offence, as Blakeborough, of Walney, wept in the dock after the verdict was announced.

Mr Mark Aldred, defending, told the court the married mother-of-two’s job with Cumbria police was “now in jeopardy”.

The police force later confirmed it will assess whether internal disciplinary proceedings will be taken.

Mr Aldred said: “Her husband is a soldier who was injured on duty. She is the sole bread-winner in her family.

“She has shown considerable remorse and is still emotionally affected by what has happened.

“This is a very tragic and very sad case.”

Blakeborough, a woman of previous good character, was given a 12-month community order and must complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

She was banned from driving for a year and must pay £2,800 costs.

Judge Paul Batty QC told the court: “I have no doubt the family of Scott will feel the sentence is wholly inadequate, for no price can be put on a human life and no price can be put on a life so needlessly lost.”

The court heard Mr Gibson’s likely speed at the time of impact was probably 70mph in a 60mph zone and Judge Batty concluded that was a contributory cause of the crash.

But he told Blakeborough: “You made, that night, a bad decision to do a U-turn.

“That decision was to have fatal consequences.

“This case truly does represent a human tragedy: a human tragedy for a young man whose life was needlessly lost on the A590 on that fateful night, and for you also it was a human tragedy.”

Mr and Mrs Gibson are hoping to appeal the decision. Mr Gibson said: “The injuries Scott had were appalling. Scott was a very good driver, but he didn’t stand a chance.

“We are hoping to see our solicitor in a week’s time and we will discuss it with him but we are hoping to appeal against the decision. In court they were saying things about Scott which we don’t think are true, about the speeds he was doing and the attitude of his driving. Scott was a very sensible driver, he thought a lot of his bike.

“We have waited six and a half months to get to this stage and it has been hard work.”

A Cumbria Constabulary spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts at this time remain with the family and friends of Scott Daniel Gibson.

“Officers from the Constabulary’s Collision Investigation Unit conducted an extensive and thorough investigation into Mr Gibson’s death and subsequently charged Patsy Blakeborough with causing death by careless driving.

“The constabulary respects the decision of the jury and the Professional Standards Department will review the case to determine if disciplinary proceedings will be taken against PC Blakeborough.

“Cumbria Constabulary take all allegations seriously and we can reassure communities that we investigate all reports thoroughly.

“Anyone with any concerns are asked to contact police on 101 and ask the speak to the Professional Standards Department.”