A teenage motorcyclist who claimed he failed to see a dog walker on a pedestrian crossing when he crashed into him could be facing custody.

Michael Jayes was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving and convicted of the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.

Now 20, he was granted bail until sentence on February 7, but a judge warned it was not an indication he would be spared youth custody. An interim driving ban was imposed.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how victim John Hobson, 61, was carried along on the Honda XR125 before falling onto the road.

He suffered head injuries and various fractures and died just over five weeks later.

Jayes, of Eastling Road, Eastling, near Faversham, denied both charges claiming he was not to blame because he did not see Mr Hobson.

Mr Hobson, of Abbey Street, Faversham, was on December 7 2012 taking the family dog Poppy for a regular evening walk.

Prosecutor Martin Yale said the married father had reached a zebra crossing near the recreation ground in Whitstable Road at about 9pm and was more than halfway over.

“Clearly, by law, he had priority over any vehicles travelling along Whitstable Road, including the motorcycle ridden by Mr Jayes,” he said.

Pedestrian Kevin Barker heard the motorcycle behind him and expected to see the brake light come on to allow Mr Hobson to cross, but it did not do so.

“Mr Barker watched helplessly as the motorcycle struck Mr Hobson on his left side,” said Mr Yale.

“He was swept up by the motorcycle and carried down the road a short distance, before falling to the ground.”

Mr Barker and his girlfriend Leanne Cooke went to help the victim and called an ambulance.

Asked by Mr Barker if he was all right, Jayes, then 19, replied: “Yes, I am fine. I just didn’t see him.”

“One can immediately see that the deceased was a very good man and a very good family man" - Judge Philip Statman

Mr Hobson was taken to the Royal London Hospital. He died at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford on January 15 last year.

A police crash investigator found that even in darkness Mr Hobson could have been seen by someone travelling in the same direction as Jayes, now 20, for a distance of some 127 metres.

Judge Philip Statman said he was “deeply moved” by statements from Mr Hobson’s widow Jody and other family members.

“One can immediately see that the deceased was a very good man and a very good family man,” he said. "No one could have asked for a better husband or father.”