Speeding biker jailed for killing woman in crash

A motorcyclist who struck and killed a university academic after drinking two pints of beer has been jailed for 14 years.

Adeline Stuart-Watt, 33, was crossing the road in Loughton when she was hit by Christopher Allen's vehicle in April 2023.

Essex Police said the 61-year-old, of Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey, was driving at double the speed limit.

He was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a five-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Ms Stuart-Watt, a policy fellow at the London School of Economics (LSE), had spent the day cycling through Epping Forest on 16 April that year.

She was struck by Allen while crossing Epping New Road on foot at about 16:15 BST and died at the scene.

The police investigation found Allen drank at least two pints of alcohol shortly before the crash.

Prof Elizabeth Robinson, an LSE colleague of Ms Stuart-Watt's, said she was "an intelligent and professional colleague, as well as a kind and lovely person".

"She is described by her colleagues as thoughtful, skilled, supportive, friendly, and collegiate," said Prof Robinson, in a statement that was issued to the BBC shortly after her death.

"She was someone who was not afraid of asking difficult questions and challenging ideas."

Ms Stuart-Watt "made such a strong impression" during her short spell at LSE, the professor added.

After Allen was jailed on Wednesday, Det Con Jacqueline Dean praised the victim's family for showing "great dignity" during the trial.

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