A father-to-be died after he was flung from a child's off-road motorcycle when he was hit by a car as he illegally rode on the road, a court heard.

Kamran Shah, 22, had only bought the machine a few days before the incident but he had already been warned by police not to ride it on public highways.

Bradford Magistrates' Court was told yesterday that the motorcycle was designed for children up to the age of 11 and was not meant to be driven on public roads.

But prosecutor Graham Anderson told the court that Mr Shah was driving the bike down Spring Mill Street, West Bowling, Bradford, in June 2004 when he was hit by a Ford Escort driven by David Webster, who was returning home from work.

Webster, 22, of Long Ridge, Brighouse, who denies a charge of careless driving, was cutting the corner as he turned right from Spring Mill Street on to Wood Road, the prosecution has alleged.

Mr Anderson said Webster failed to spot the bike coming down the road and it then ploughed into the side of the car.

Mr Shah was catapulted over the windscreen of the car and suffered severe head injuries after landing on the road. He died in hospital the day after the crash.

When interviewed by the police Webster said he had not seen the bike. Mr Anderson said was his responsibility to make sure that the road was clear before making the turn.

Mr Anderson said: "The prosecution's case is that there was a lack of care and attention on Mr Webster's part when turning across the junction of that motorcyclist.

"It could have been a child on a bicycle for instance."

But he added that the bike was travelling at about 40mph in a 30mph zone and he told District Judge David Thomas that traces of cannabis were found in Mr Shah's system.

He said: "Kamran Shah had been riding around on that motorcycle in this area of West Bowling not just on that day but over the weekend, enjoying himself but riding somewhat haphazardly without any protective clothing or head gear at all."

Mr Shah's brother Rizwan Shah, now 19, told the court that Kamran would normally ride the 80cc bike that he had bought in Sheffield for £400 in Bowling Park and would either push it or ride it there.

Mr Anderson said that Webster was unfamiliar with the road after having only just started work in the area.

When he was interviewed by police Webster, who had passed his advanced motorists' test shortly before, said that he only saw the bike when it was too late.

He admitted that he had cut the corner because he thought the road was clear.

"I was three-quarters into the turn when I looked up and saw the bike," he told the police, "As soon as the impact happened I stood on my brakes and turned the engine off.

"I just didn't see him. I did look up the road but didn't see anything."

"I did not see the bike as far as I can remember, I did not see the bike," he added.

The trial is expected to resume on Thursday.