Lawyer on scooter ‘killed by motorcyclist who was racing friend through red light’

A CITY lawyer was killed by a motorcyclist racing his friend through a red light, a court heard.

John Eldridge, 56, was riding his scooter along Warwick Road at the junction with West Cromwell Road when 28-year-old Matthew Thorne smashed into him.

Witnesses said Thorne was racing friend Nick Beale who was riding another bike when the accident happened.

Mr Eldridge, a married father-of-one and partner at SJ Berwin solicitors in Blackfriars, died in St George's Hospital, Tooting, 17 days after the accident. Thorne, who was seriously injured in the crash, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

James Dawes, prosecuting, told Southwark crown court Thorne had been reckless.

Thorne, from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, denies the charge and told police he remembered little of the crash. He said he had been on a biker's tour of London and had enjoyed a pint in a pub near Buckingham Palace before setting off home.

The trial continues.