A FARMER has been found guilty over a road crash which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist near the village of Ganarew four years ago.

Philip Baker, aged 61, of Wonastow, near Monmouth, was convicted by a Worcester Crown Court jury of causing death by dangerous driving after a motorbike collided with a tractor towing a trailer of hay bales at 9.45pm on Thursday, August 11, 2022.

Medical student Steven James Lee, aged 26, from Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales, was riding between Ganarew and Monmouth on the A40 when the collision happened.

The westbound carriageway between Whitchurch and Monmouth was closed for several hours while emergency services dealt with the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said after the crash: "When ambulance crews arrived they found a motorcyclist, a man, in a critical condition. Police officers were already on scene providing CPR to the man.

"When crews commenced emergency treatment, it sadly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased a short time later."

Mr Lee’s family paid tribute following the rider’s death to “a true polymath, Steven had almost completed his degree in medicine and was so looking forward to his future”.

They said: “He had a degree in biology, a Masters in immunology, he was a pilot instructor, a piano teacher, a commissioned officer in the RAF cadets and a photographer.

“He was the most wonderful, talented and accomplished person the world has ever seen.

“Steven leaves a heartbroken family including his mum, Diane, his dad, Richard, brother and sisters Alison, Maxine, Daniel, Rachel and Leanne and his girlfriend, Sophie, with whom he had planned his future.”

Sentence will be passed on Baker on September 22, 2026.