Son finds his dad dying in road after being mowed down by speeding biker

A son discovered his dad dying in the road after he was mowed down by a speeding biker.

Daniel Redpath, 25, was riding his Aprilia 125cc bike with only a provisional licence when he hit 86-year-old Kumar Singh in Keston, south east London in April, 2023. He lost his full licence because he had racked up six points within two years of passing his test.

Horrified onlookers rushed to the pensioner's aid after he was sent flying through the air before landing on the road. Crash investigators believe Redpath may have been travelling as fast as 64mph in a 40mph zone, and should have been displaying two "L" plates as a provisional driver. Instead, there was just a single plate on the back and they also found his tyres were unsafe.

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Redpath was breathalysed following the incident and blew a negative test for alcohol but a positive one for cannabis. A blood test later showed he was under the legal limit for cannabis.

Mr Singh's son said in his victim impact statement: "I was at the scene of the collision immediately after it happened, while they tried to resuscitate dad. He was not answering his phone when I called, so I had a sense of dread.

"One of the ambulance people saw my face and shouted is that your dad. I still see the ambulance driver's face and hear her words today. I was shouting at the police "Is he alive, is he alive."

"They told me he had been killed in a collision", he added. "I felt physically sick but had to keep things together for my family. Dad had to stay on the road until late that night until police concluded investigations. So much reminds me of the accident, when I see a motorbike, when I hear sirens and every time I deal with the police, I get flashbacks.

"I find it difficult to sleep and doing anything stressful terrifies me. For a long time, try as I might, I found it difficult socialising, I get angry for no reason. He was not a frail, bumbling old man; he was wise, sharp and energetic. Dad had seen a lot in life, coming to the UK on his own in the 70s.

"He gave so much to society, he did not deserve to be snatched from us so cruelly in a moment of recklessness. I watched my mum's body shut down over the course of a year. She had delirium, we watched her die slowly, painfully and lonely.

"Mum was strong and fearless all her life, she survived polio, she operated on children with gun shot wounds. She did not deserve to lose her husband or to die so painfully. I hope the defendant understands he has taken more than one life away."

Mr Singh had previously worked in the Post Office and the NHS and in his retirement had been volunteering at the Lord Magistrates' panel, helping to select magistrates. He was killed five days before his wife's birthday and five months before their golden wedding anniversary.

Redpath has a previous conviction for driving while disqualified. In September 2020, he was caught driving without insurance and fined £660 and issued six penalty points. Redpath did not stay off the roads though and was caught again in December 2021, this time for driving whilst disqualified.

He was also caught in possession of a bladed article and cannabis. For that his disqualification was extended for a further six months and he was handed a community order. Redpath, who whore a navy suit and tie with a waistcoat, was supported by members of his family in court.

Defending Redpath, Jade Gambrill said: "Mr Redpath did express significant and genuine remorse. He said just as he drifts off, he will hear the noises, he said this will put him into a heightened state of anxiety, and he then struggles to settle.

"He raised his concern if he was going to be sent to prison, I will either be someone I don't recognise, or I won't be here. He was scared things would not feel any better after sentence."

Redpath, of Sumner Close, Orpington, admitted causing death by careless driving and driving a motor vehicle without a licence.

Judge Richard Marks, KC told Redpath: "The Crown cannot say whether Mr Singh saw your motorbike or not; however, it is their case, and I agree that there was a clear responsibility on your part to note his presence at the crossing, particularly given your express speed [...]

"It is clear Mr Singh was extremely fit and alert both mentally and physically; he was not just the patriarch of the family; he was hugely loved and respected. The family were and remain utterly devastated by these events.

"I accept that you are now genuinely remorseful, although that was certainly not something that came across in your defence statement. I also note the Facebook messages for which you were rejoicing at the return of the bike to you are, to say the least, unattractive and not in accordance with remorse."

Redpath was sentenced to 21 months in custody and was banned from driving for a period of three years. He waved to family and friends in the public gallery as he was led to the cells.