A CARELESS driver who caused the death of a motorcyclist must complete unpaid work.

Aaron Borrow opened his Jaguar car door in order to fetch hay fever pills while stuck in a traffic jam in Sussex.

The 30-year-old claimed he had checked to make sure the road was clear, and did not see rider Philip Wise, 56, filtering past.

Mr Wise was knocked by the opening car door and was then struck by oncoming traffic on the A286 at Birdham.

He suffered “indescribable” injuries and later died in hospital.

After a short trial at Brighton Crown Court, Borrow was found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

Borrow was told to complete a community order that requires him to do 280 hours of unpaid work.

Her Honour Judge Christine Henson QC was told how guidelines for punishments range from community orders up to five years in prison for those who commit careless driving offences.

It was ruled that Borrow’s driving on the hot July day in 2018 fell below the standards of a careful and competent driver.

But it was described as a momentary lapse, rather than a sustained period of carelessness.

Previously Brighton Crown Court heard that other motorists had seen Mr Wise filtering through stationary traffic in Main Road, Birdham on a hot July day in 2018.

Other motorbikes had also gone past, witnesses said.

Mr Wise had to be “extricated” from the wreckage of the crash and was rushed to Southampton General Hospital, where he later died.

The road was closed for several hours as police investigated.

Daniel Frier, prosecuting, said Borrow had been out driving to the beach with his partner Ashleigh Skipper but got stuck in heavy traffic.

The prosecutor said: “The defendant had been in traffic for some time. He decided, at a point when stationary, that he wanted to get his hay fever medication from the boot.

“He opened the car door and struck Philip Wise on his motorcycle. The consequence was to force Mr Wise into oncoming traffic where he was struck by a vehicle coming the other way.

“Tragically Mr Wise died of those injuries.”

Borrow, of Shelley Road, East Grinstead, must complete the unpaid work, along with ten rehabilitation sessions.

He was ordered to pay £800 court costs, and was banned from driving for 15 months. Before he can drive again he will have to take an extended retest.