A mother who was spared jail after causing the death of a 34-year-old motorcyclist today issued a plea for privacy so she can get on with her life.

Belinda Coote, 44, was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and pay �250 in court costs when she appeared at Ipswich Crown Court last week on a charge of causing death by careless driving.

It followed an incident on October 26, 2009, when Mrs Coote collided with a motorbike ridden in excess of the 30mph speed limit by Matthew Page, a 34-year-old accountant who worked in London.

The pair were driving in opposite directions along Clapgate Lane and collided as Mrs Coote turned right into Benacre Road.

Mr Page then hit a brick wall, sustaining multiple injuries, and died a few hours later in hospital.

The part-time pub worker, who lives in Scott Road, said: “It has been a nightmare of a year.

“I’ve got three children myself and I had one of them in the car with me. I’ve had my punishment now and I just want to be left alone.”

Coote had been on her way to buy fish and chips with her 14-year-old daughter at the time of the incident, while Mr Page was on his way back from Ipswich train station to his home in Platters Close.

After Coote’s court hearing, senior investigating officer Paul Ward issued a warning to car drivers of the need to watch out for other road users at all times.

“This has to serve as a stark reminder to all drivers of the need to be aware of vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists,” he said.

“We certainly never considered any intention on the part of the defendant during the investigation.

“Instead, it amounts to carelessness and human frailty.”