A MOTORIST banned from driving following a fatal road crash has won back his licence early.

Jamie Crellin, 26, was disqualified for three in 2013 after pleading guilty to causing the death of 31-year-old motorcyclist Paul Fursey by careless driving.

Mr Fursey, a Workington supermarket employee, died in a road accident near Cockermouth in October 2012.

The accident happened as Crellin pulled on to the A66 from the road's Great Broughton junction.

He later told police he believed he had checked the road, but he failed to see Mr Fursey's bike and pulled out, resulting in the crash.

Mr Fursey was living near Wigton at the time of his death.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Crellin - a man of previous good character - was given a 12-month community order and received a three-year driving ban.

Crellin returned to the crown court on Monday to make an application for the early return of his licence.

Judge Barbara Forrester noted that he was entitled to apply having served more than two years of the ban.

Judge Forrester heard evidence from Crellin, who said he was a vehicle technician at the time of the fatal crash.

He stated the inability to drive led to him leaving his job, and he had not managed to secure full-time work since then.

Crellin was trying to improve his qualifications and was helping members of his family. But he was struggling to assist his mother, who was ill and not able to drive. Previously he had transported her to appointments.

"I am just trying to get on with my life. Obviously it (the fatal accident) is not going to go away. It is a punishment in itself," Crellin told the court.

After hearing his submissions, Judge Forrester concluded that his licence should be returned early.

The judge, who sentenced Crellin in 2013, said: "It was clear at that time he was a young man who did not look lightly on his responsibilities as a driver, and that he has been very concerned about being involved in that collision. He has accepted his responsibility from the outset."

There were no other convictions, the judge noted, and Crellin, of Row Brow Park, Dearham, Maryport, had completed other elements of the community order she had imposed.

"Obviously the offence that he committed is one of the most serious offences before the court because it was a fatal accident," said Judge Forrester.

"However, I am quite satisfied that it was a one-off; that Mr Crellin behaves and has behaved responsibly; and that the lack of a driving licence for him is causing increasing problems."