Family pays tribute to Ashtead motorcyclist following collision with unlicensed driver from Banstead

The family of Ben Holmes, a young man from Ashtead who died when he was in a collision with an unlicensed driver whilst riding his motorcycle in November 2022, have paid tribute to him this week. Pictures courtesy of Surrey Police

The family of a young man from Ashtead who died when he was in a collision with an unlicensed driver whilst riding his motorcycle in November 2022 have paid tribute to him this week.

The parents of 21-year-old Benjamin (Ben) Holmes, Stephen and Eleanor Holmes, said: “Ben’s sudden death has left our family devastated and heartbroken.

“Ben made us proud every single day. He was truly an amazing person, full of life and a warm and loving young man.”

Ben had recently finished his building surveying degree at Kingston University and had his visa and flights booked to go to Australia to work for a year.

Garry Arnold was sentenced to two years and four months in custody after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving a vehicle whilst unlicensed and perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing

He was due to leave in late December before the tragic event on November 4, 2022.

His parents continued: “His death hit our family so hard and beyond all comprehension.

"It’s indescribable. We never thought we would lose our son so young, leaving behind his brother."

After learning of Ben's tragic death, his friends and work colleagues shared touching tributes to their much loved and deeply missed friend.

His parents added: “We would like to thank the determined approach that Surrey Police has taken in pursuing justice for Ben in what has been a complex investigation over the past two years.”

Surrey Police said Ben was out on his motorbike just after 4pm on November 4, 2022 when the collision occurred on Ranmore Common Road in Dorking.

Police said the driver of the van, Garry Arnold, 57, of Banstead, was sentenced to two years and four months in custody today (April 1), after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving a vehicle whilst unlicensed and perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended test, the force added.

Following an investigation into the circumstances of the collision, officers established that Arnold had decided to pull over as he needed to use the toilet and was making a right turn onto a gravel area when the collision occurred.

The investigation determined that Arnold had not had enough time to complete the manoeuvre and had failed to take the time required to complete the turn and the speed of the motorbike into account.

Surrey Police said Arnold was spoken to at the scene by officers and gave them a false name and date of birth.

It later transpired he held a revoked license at the time of the collision, which was why he had provided false details.

Investigating Officer Amilia Bishop, from Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with Ben Holmes’ family and friends at this very difficult time – no family should ever have to endure the loss they have suffered.

“Arnold not only performed a manoeuvre which he simply did not have the time to do, he then deliberately misled officers to cover up the fact that his driving licence had been revoked.

“I would like to thank the members of public who stopped at the scene to call emergency services and provide first aid.

“Officers and paramedics who attended tried desperately to save Ben’s life that day by performing CPR on Ben at the scene but sadly their efforts were unsuccessful.

“Arnold’s actions that day have robbed a family of their son – which they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.

“I hope that the sentence imposed on him today demonstrates that we will pursue drivers who break the law – and that this can have fatal consequences.”