A HIGHLY-trained driver for the Army has been jailed for 15 months for killing a teenage motorcyclist in a crash at a ‘boy racer club’ at the Manor Park industrial estate.

Gareth David Owen Jones, aged 23, of Cradley, Widnes, was sentenced today, Thursday, at Liverpool Crown Court.

Jones was found guilty of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving at Chester Crown Court on March 26.

Speaking today, Judge Thomas Teague QC said the incident ‘fell just short of dangerous driving’ and that the actions of Jones behind the wheel of his Ford Focus ST were ‘particularly irresponsible’.

Judge Teague also said witnesses had ‘lied under oath’ during the trial last month, and that in doing so had shown ‘disrespect’ to the family of victim Jack Bellis, from Warrington.

The 19-year-old motorcyclist was killed in the crash at a 'car cruising club' next to an industrial estate off Warrington Road in Runcorn, organised on Facebook, on October 14, 2012.

Witnesses reported seeing cars in 'rolling races', travelling of speeds estimated to be up to 130mph in the 40mph zone.

Jones, who has done various driving courses while in the Army, was found guilty of pulling a ‘sudden’ maneouvre that caused Mr Bellis to hit the side of his car.