‘Nick’s bright shining light will live on in our family forever’ - tributes have been paid to a 35-year-old man who was killed by a careless driver in a Redditch crash.

Those are the words of Denise Bennell of Worcester, paying tribute to her devoted son Nick Bennell who was killed in crash on 18 August 2021, on the day a woman was sentenced for causing his death by careless driving.

Fay Newman, aged 52, of Upper Field Close, Redditch, was driving down the A448 Bromsgrove Highway towards Redditch in her Kia Ceed car that morning, when she overtook traffic and collided with Nick and his Honda motorbike.

Fay Newman was sentenced to 20 months for causing death by dangerous driving Fay Newman was sentenced to 20 months for causing death by careless driving (Image: West Mercia Police)

Father-of-two Nick, who was 35 and from Worcester, had come off his bike in a separate incident moments before and, with traffic in lane one of the dual carriageway, Newman moved to lane two before she struck him.

Sadly, Nick was pronounced dead at the scene.

Newman was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Monday December 2) for causing death by careless driving and was disqualified from driving for two years and ten months.

Nick’s mother Denise, 62, paid tribute to her son who was tragically killed on 18 August 2021 when travelling from Worcester to Redditch on his motorbike.

She said: “Nick was just 35 years old - a fit and healthy man with his whole life ahead of him.

“Born in 1986, he grew from a cute baby into a kind, handsome man who was a devoted son.

“Nick and I were very close, we would always be laughing, singing, and dancing together, he had a love of gardening and DIY.

“He had a smile that would brighten up the room and the most infectious laugh.

“Nick was very sociable and was always first on the dance floor at any family gathering we had.

“His life’s light was sadly snubbed out but will always shine bright in my heart for the rest of my life.

“He would look up to his big brother as a friend and fellow soldier - his older siblings remember fondly their baby brother’s mop of hair, big blue eyes, and inquisitive and adventurous nature.

"He was a supportive big brother to his little sister - he was everything to her. He was a fun-loving, entertaining uncle and a loving father of two.

“These are all memories that will be cherished for ever in their hearts and thoughts. He will not see his children grow up, meet any grandchildren or be there for any future family milestones.

“Our broken hearts will always miss him, but his bright shining light will remain in ours, his elderly grandmother and the wider family’s memories forever.”