Ex-England and Man Utd star Nicky Butt banned over crash

Mr Dye said Butt had stayed at the scene after the crash, had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty.

He added that the ex-footballer already did voluntary work with released prisoners and passed on “glowing” references, not read out in court, to the judge.

Sentencing Butt, District Judge Alex Preston dismissed Mr Dye’s request for his client to be fined to avoid being a “distraction” to others doing unpaid work.

She said Butt should not be treated differently to other defendants, but accepted he deeply regretted what happened and felt genuine remorse.

“You have been unable to explain why you did not see the victim on his motorbike,” she said.

“You should not have pulled out at this junction.

“This was a serious error by you.

“All drivers must ‘Think bike’ at junctions.”

Butt was banned from driving for 12 months, ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and told to pay a £140 surcharge and £85 costs.

Butt, who was a member of Manchester United’s famous “Class of ’92” team with David Beckham and Gary Neville, won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League trophy with the club.

He made 39 appearances for England and had spells at Newcastle United, Birmingham City and a brief stint in China before retiring from playing and returning to United as a coach.

In 2014, he was part of a player-led consortium that bought Salford City and became the club’s chief executive in 2022.