Three jailed for biker's death

Manslaughter of rival 'chapter' member

Three men have been sent to prison after being convicted of the manslaughter a member of a rival motorcycle chapter in Plymouth.

Benjamin Parry, 42 and Chad Brading, 36, both from Plymouth, along with Thomas Pawley, 32 from Ivybridge, were found guilty of manslaughter following the death of 59-year-old David Crawford, also from Ivybridge who was killed following a collision on the A38 last year.

During the trial in November 2022, the jury were shown footage of Mr Crawford riding his black Kawasaki motorbike on a May evening, when it was stopped by Pawley and Brading in Pawley's black Mercedes car on the St Budeaux A38 off-slip.

As the bike was being obstructed, Parry, who was driving his work Transit van, drove behind Mr Crawford and struck the rear of the motorbike.

Parry didn’t stop after the collision and David Crawford was pinned under the Transit as it drove on at speed onto the A38, His body eventually broke free at the off-slip at the Weston Mill junction hundreds of metres away from the initial collision. He died at the scene.

On Friday at Exeter Crown Court, the Honourable Mr Justice Garnham sentenced Benjamin Parry to 12 years, and Chad Brading and Thomas Pawley both to four years.

Detective Inspector Rob Smith said: “Parry, Pawley and Brading were all members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club who together attacked David Crawford, who was a member of a rival chapter, the Red Chiefs Motorcycle Club.

“Amongst the debris found at the crash site was a registration plate belonging to the work van which had been assigned to Parry. Officers attended his address hours after the collision and initially arrested him on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and seized the van.

“However, the van was fitted with two cameras; one on the dashboard and the second filming the cabin and the driver that ultimately showed that this was no accident.”

“Following the collision, the investigation team have carried out a complex and large-scale investigation, to painstakingly piece together the movements of all those involved in this incident and present to the courts a comprehensive picture of what actually happened on that day.  

“The standard of that work has been a testament not only to the investigators, but the other departments and agencies that have assisted throughout this case.”

“The evidence has shown that Parry was not working alone and along with Brading and Pawley, the three men worked together in a callous and coordinated attack that ultimately took the life of David Crawford.

DI Smith continued: “David Crawford has been described as the life and soul of the party. A funny caring and protective family man who was deeply loved. The impact of David’s death has been significant. These men have taken away a father, grandfather, brother, and son away from his family in what was a senseless and unwarranted attack.  

“I would like to pay tribute to David’s family who, throughout have conducted themselves in an extremely dignified manner and been hugely supportive of our investigation team, which I am very grateful for. 

“I hope these sentences will provide at least some comfort that justice has been done and allow David’s family to move from this terrible incident.”