Man convicted of manslaughter following Tamworth collision

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a man who died in a collision in Tamworth.

Murat Karakas, 51, of Tamworth, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Richard Radbourne today (11 October) following a three-week trial at Stafford Crown Court.

(Murat Karakas)

At 9.59pm on Sunday 3 March 2024, we received multiple calls reporting a serious collision between a Harley Davidson and an Audi Q3 on Comberford Road, Tamworth.

The rider of the motorcycle, 47-year-old Richard Radbourne, sadly died at the scene. Murat Karakas was driving the Audi Q3.

Earlier that night, a number of witnesses saw the motorcycle in pursuit of an Audi A3 driven by Murat Karakas’ son and that both vehicles were travelling at speed.

Murat left his house in his car, with a bat, to look for his son and when he saw the motorcycle pursuing his son’s car, he stopped on the wrong side of the road prior to the fatal collision.

In a statement, Richard’s partner, Haley said: “I really wish the events on that awful night had ended differently. Rich was loved and is missed so much by us all. I still struggle without him here. I just hope grief eases with time.

“I would like to thank our police liaison officers, Louise Gallimore and Mark Astle, for all of their help, support and guidance over the last seven months.” 

Richard’s father, Kevin, said: “To lose my son Richard Radbourne in such a senseless and tragic way and at such a young age is very difficult to come to terms with."

(Richard Radbourne)

Detective Inspector Lisa Holland, of our major investigations team, said: “This was a complex case and a large number of my colleagues conducted a thorough investigation into what happened that night.

“Our thoughts are with Richard’s family and friends.”

Karakas will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court at a date to be confirmed.