A driver involved in a fatal crash with a motorcyclist he failed to see on Saltaire Roundabout believed the impact noise was a missile being thrown at his car, a jury was told.

Stephen Rawlinson said he thought children had thrown a stone at his Ford Focus when it collided with a Honda 125cc ridden by Nigel Earnshaw at 10.30pm on Sunday, September 5, last year, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Rawlinson, 26, of Upper Grange Avenue, Allerton, Bradford, denies causing Mr Earnshaw’s death by dangerous driving.

Mr Earnshaw, 58, from the Keighley area, was thrown from his bike while travelling to work a night shift at Hallmark Cards in Bradford.

Prosecutor Richard Clews told the jury he had broken bones, including a fractured ankle, and was operated on in hospital. Complications developed and he died 18 days later, on September 23, after suffering a deep vein thrombosis. The jury heard Mr Earnshaw entered the roundabout from the A650 Bingley Road and had right of way.

Rawlinson was travelling to see his grandmother along the A657 Saltaire Road.

Mr Clews said witnesses thought he was going fast and realised there was about to be a collision.

After the impact, Rawlinson stopped close to the roundabout, rang the emergency services and walked back to the crash scene.

The jury heard he told a police officer he thought some kids had thrown a stone at his car and asked if Mr Earnshaw would be all right.

He said he did not see the motorcycle and it was an “awful” roundabout with cars coming from every direction.

Mr Clews said Rawlinson’s mobile phone was taken from him at the scene and examined by the police.

He had sent a text message at 10.28pm telling his grandmother he would be with her shortly.

Rawlinson denied using his phone when he was driving.

Mr Clews told the jury: “He was either grossly inattentive or he was, for some reason, grossly distracted for a considerable period of time on the approach to the roundabout.”

He said the 12 must decide whether Rawlinson’s driving was dangerous and if it caused the death of Mr Earnshaw.

The trial continues.