Uninsured Norwich teen was speeding when he killed dog walker

CJ Fitt, 18, was riding a Yamaha 125 motorbike which hit Lucy Machin, 55, as she was using a pedestrian crossing on Colman Road, Norwich, while on an early morning walk with the family dog Rosie.Lucy Machin (inset) and scene of crash on Colman Road (Image: Norfolk Constabulary/Newsquest) Norwich Crown Court heard Fitt, a provisional licence holder, was saving up to pay for insurance for the bike which his parents had bought him.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) But Fitt, a scaffolder, took the decision to ride the vehicle on November 17, 2022, after his father, who usually drove him to work, crashed his car the night before and was unable to give him a lift.

Lynne Shirley, prosecuting, said Fitt, despite being uninsured to use the machine, rode it on a dark, wet and rainy November morning described by one witness as "horrible".

One motorist who was overtaken by Fitt said the teen went "roaring past me" and another motorist ahead of him.

He described Fitt as an "idiot" while the driver in front said he was a "wally" for riding as he had in the wet weather.

Seconds later the motorist "slammed on the brakes" and stopped and although not seeing what happened, saw a motorbike being picked up off the floor.

Colman Road, Norwich (Image: Newsquest) He also saw a dog running around in the road.

Miss Shirley said Fitt was found to be travelling between 41mph and 50mph at the time of the crash on Colman Road, which has a 30mph limit.

She said Mrs Machin suffered a "catastrophic head injury" as she was hit while she crossed the road.

The court heard that she was crossing near a set of traffic lights. It is not clear if they were red or amber, but Fitt's speed was such that he was unable to stop.

Lucy Machin (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) Mrs Machin was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by ambulance before being transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

She died in hospital two days later.

The dog, Rosie, was unharmed.

Fitt, from Barrett Road, Norwich, appeared for sentencing on Friday having admitted causing death by careless driving.

CJ Fitt (Image: Facebook) He had previously admitted a charge of causing death by driving while uninsured.

Before he was sentenced the court heard several statements from members of Mrs Machin's family, including her husband Robert who lived with her teenage son Joe.

He described as "brutal" the way this "generous, compassionate and loving woman" lost her life.

Robert, who has previously paid tribute to Mrs Machin, said his wife, who had worked in cancer research, had been diagnosed with arthritis but walked regularly to help alleviate the symptoms.

He said he was not angry "or consumed by revenge" but "just sad" she was not here anymore.

Judge Andrew Shaw said the case was a "terrible tragedy".

He said Fitt, who was "impatient to have independence", made the ill-fated decision to ride to work when you were not insured".

Judge Shaw said Fitt also rode in excess of the speed limit and at a speed which was "inappropriate" for the conditions.

He said Mrs Machin had "so much life yet to live and so much joy to bring to those who knew her well" telling Fitt that the responsibility for her death "rests entirely with you".

But he also acknowledged Fitt's life would "never be the same again".

Judge Shaw imposed a sentence of nine months detention in a Young offenders' institution (YOI) suspended for two years. 

He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

Fitt was disqualified from driving for three years and will have to take an extended driving test before he can drive again.

Jude Durr, who represented Fitt, said it was a "desperately sad case" but insisted he should be given credit for his plea.

He said he has shown remorse and was "visibly upset" when interviewed by police.