Australian motorbiker who left cyclist dying and bragged about it found guilty

A motorcyclist who boasted about killing a cyclist, saying he “deserved it”, has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Ben Smith, 27, from Sydney, hit father of three Steve Jarvie, 61, and left him dying in the road.

Smith went on to the Mount White Café, where he told others: “The f---ing bike rider shouldn’t have been in the middle of the road.”

He added: “I hit him, I’ve got it on my Go-Pro. The c--- deserved it.”

NSW District Court was also told that on Smith’s Facebook page there was a post in which he commented on a bumper sticker warning road users to stay 1.5 metres away from cyclists.

He said: “Get f---ed c---t. Start paying for using the roads or keep coping abuse and 2inch flybys,” according to the Telegraph.

The prosecutors said this was evidence of Smith’s hatred for cyclists.

Jurors were quick to come to a guilty verdict in the case, although all parties accepted that the exact way Mr Jarvie came to harm will never be known.
Smith declined to give evidence throughout the trial, and police never recovered the Go Pro.

Mr Jarvie’s fiancée Linda Ellis said: “There was an overwhelming sadness as well for Steve not being here, for the life we were just starting to make for ourselves and strangely enough, as a mother of two children myself, I felt quite sad for [Smith] as well.

“His callous and reckless behaviour has caused so many lives to be affected – one life lost and so many people affected.

“Steve was a very loving, kind and generous partner - always considerate, helpful and agreeable. He had a brilliant intellect and a curious, enquiring mind and his zest for life made him a fun-loving and entertaining companion.”

Ben Smith was found guilty of manslaughter and dangerous driving. He is on bail but could face a sentence of up to 25 years.