THE parents of a 25-year-old motorcyclist who died in Worsbrough in 2023 say they’re ‘devastated’ after his killer’s sentence was significantly reduced last week.

Aaron Smith, of Hoyland, died while travelling on his motorcycle on Park Road, Worsbrough, on November 22, 2023.

Raymond Dagnall, 80, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving last year and was subsequently jailed for 12 months on December 5 at Sheffield Crown Court.

However, The Court of Appeal replaced the original sentence with an eight-month term suspended for 18 months last Tuesday.

It means he served just seven weeks of his original sentence.

Dagnall is still disqualified from driving and has handed in his licence - vowing to never drive again.

And the court heard how he was ‘riddled with guilt’.

He cares for his 57-year-old wife who has epilepsy.

But Aaron’s dad, Andrew Smith, told the Chronicle the family have been left heartbroken following the appeal.

“We are devastated,” he said.

“It’s as though our brilliant son’s life was worthless.

“There is video of the driver pulling out without looking and not giving way.

“We watched the appeal on a video link supplied by witness services, so we knew the minute the gavel fell.

“Apparently he is full of remorse and gave his licence up straight away, so because he is sorry he got a slap on the wrists.

“There seems to be very little thought for the victim’s family other than the court saying how sorry they are.”

Dagnall performed an ‘unsafe manoeuvre’ before colliding with Aaron - and the court were told how he has shown genuine remorse since the incident.

But Andrew said it is a ‘kick in the teeth’ - and it’s had a huge impact on his wife and Aaron’s mum’s life, Jayne.

He added: “This is a complete kick in the teeth.

“The original sentence was ridiculous.

“I know the courts hands are tied with sentencing guidelines though and these need to change.

“He should have been charged with death by dangerous driving not death by careless driving.

“My wife’s health has been hit badly by AJ’s death.

“She has totally given up on life and is in a very dark place.

“He did all this damage to our family and is sat at home with a cuppa not even tagged.

“He destroyed our family when he got behind the wheel to go buy a newspaper.”