A woman motorist who was sentenced after she admitted causing the death of a motorcyclist through dangerous driving has escaped time in prison.

Trina Doyling's car collided with a bike driven by 52-year-old David Santucci on November 8, 2006.

She pleaded guilty to causing his death during a Supreme Court hearing last month.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves yesterday sentenced Doyling to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months and recorded 12 demerit points against her driver's license, which automatically disqualifies her from driving any vehicle for two years.

The Royal Gazette reported at the time of Mr. Santucci's death that he was involved in a collision with a turning car on Middle Road, Warwick.

According to the Police, he was travelling eastwards when he was catapulted from his bike after a collision with a car coming in the opposite direction which was turning into Longford Road next to the Belmont Golf Course. Mr. Santucci was thrown onto the road and became pinned under another car.

When Police arrived at the scene, he was still trapped under the car and his left middle finger tip was missing and he had a deep gash on his chin.

He was rescued and taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but later died from his injuries.

The official cause of his death was described as a cervical spine fracture with multiple additional fractures including his left collar bone and right ribs, plus a raptured spleen and abdominal haemorrhaging.

Mr. Justice Greaves, agreeing with defence lawyer Craig Attridge's call for a non-custodial sentence, concluded Doyling had been driving "normally and lawfully" and became distracted.

He summarised: "It's no doubt the tragedy and loss suffered by (Mr. Santucci's family) must be heart-wrenching... there was no evidence (Doyling) was otherwise driving dangerously or she was impaired by drink or drugs.

"This is not one of those cases where someone was speeding or driving recklessly but there is some evidence that the deceased may have been distracted for another moment."

In saying that the defendant and the victim may have suffered a moment of lapse and concentration which happens frequently on the roads, Mr. Justice Greaves considered in deciding Doyling's fate: "The law is not only powerful, but merciful. This case requires temperance and common sense to be applied."

Additionally, he ordered that Doyling perform 250 hours of community service at the discretion of the department of court services.

Following the sentence outside the court, the ruling did not sit well for the family members of Mr. Santucci, with some openly declaring the sentence was weak.

They declined to provide comment to The Royal Gazette on the ruling, but one of them shouted, "this stinks!".