A BLACKBURN man is set to learn his fate after pleading guilty to causing the death of a motorcyclist through careless driving.

Riley Meacham, 22, was driving a BMW 5 Series which was in collision with a Ducati bike being ridden by father-of-three Clifford Shasby in Rawtenstall, at the end of October 2021.

Mr Shasby was taken to hospital with multiple serious injuries after the incident on Bocholt Way, according to police at the time.

He remained in a critical condition for some time and died from his injuries more than three weeks later, it was confirmed by investigators.

Meacham, of Brotherton Drive, had originally pleaded not guilty to causing Mr Shasby's death by careless driving.

But a further appearance before Blackburn magistrates saw him change his plea to guilty.

An earlier hearing was told by prosecutor Peter Bardsley that Meacham had been turning right into a car park when the collision occurred.

The court heard then that the central issue in the case was whether Meacham, then 21, could see the motorcycle rider "or be expected to see him", with only limited CCTV footage available of the incident.

Meacham has been bailed for pre-sentence reports and must be back in court on August 1.

Mr Shashby, 56, from Newchurch in Rossendale, was a building trade worker, who was said to be an avid rock climber with a love of motorcycles.

A family statement issued after his death said: "Cliff was truly unique, always doing vast amounts of in-depth research for his latest project or task.

"He was a real raconteur with an endless supply of entertaining tales from his adventures.

"Always on the the go and creative in many ways, particularly musically, a guitar was never far from his hand."