The grieving father of a young man killed in a fatal crash has said he will never forgive a wicked couple who tried to cover up their part in his death.

Steven Rudden’s biker son Ryan died from his injuries after being knocked off his bike in Swale Way, Sittingbourne, back in 2021.

Earlier this month, husband and wife Stuart and Carly Powell, from Kemsley, were sentenced for their roles in the crash and lies after the incident.

Stuart Powell, 34, had ploughed into the bike of Ryan, 26, killing him, and seriously injuring his friend Adam Davies.

But as the Whitstable rider lay dying in the road, the father-of-four called his wife Carly, 36, who then lied to police claiming her car had been stolen.

Their lies resulted in two innocent people being arrested and held in custody for 12 hours as officers hunted the driver.

Stuart Powell, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, was jailed for five years and 10 months and banned from driving for 119 months.

While Carly was told she would have been jailed for eight months, but the judge was told an immediate sentence could result in her not receiving treatment for her MS.

Around 30 of Ryan’s heartbroken friends and family filled the courts and were left disgusted by the outcome.

His father, Steven, said the sentence was an insult to his family.

“Did we get justice for Adam and Ryan? No I can't say we did,” he fumed.

“Could I forgive them? I wanted to see some remorse, some act of kindness or something at all but we saw nothing. Not an apology from them or their family.

“The sentence was not simply lenient but an insult to any family that is going through or been through the same court process – 8 months suspended, really?

“Claims Ryan had been racing all night were a disgrace. Thankfully the court made it clear it was a total lie. Ryan was being his kind self and picking up one of his workers who had been left stranded at work.

“Ryan was an incredible, driven and loving young man. Hilariously funny and could brighten the darkest of days. His family and friends will miss him forever.”

Mr Rudden explained his son’s death had hit his family hard, with many fighting their own mental battles as a result.

They have planned a fundraising event for Saturday, July 29, dubbed Ryanfest, at the Robin Hood pub in Chatham, in memory of Ryan. Tickets can be purchased here.

He added: “I will let others decide if their sentences were justice. I can say it doesn’t feel like justice to me.

“Until the law is changed for those drivers that leave the scene of a serious crash then many more victims will continue to suffer lenient and unjust sentencing.”