James Richard Clark, 31, formerly of Short Street Cowra, pleaded guilty in Orange District Court on Friday to dangerous driving causing death after he crashed his motorcycle with partner of 14 years Lisa Gee on the back.

Ms Gee was not wearing a helmet and died from a brain injury. 

The court heard Clark bought the bike in Canberra on February 19 and rode it back to Cowra. 

The following morning, Clark and Ms Gee were travelling on Short Street when Clark lost control on gravel and Ms Gee fell off. 

The court heard Clark was under the influence of methylamphetamine and was unlicensed and investigations failed to determine how fast the bike was travelling.

Ms Gee’s sister-in-law, Tina Gee, read the victim impact statement.

Mrs Gee and husband Mark had been caring for the four children, aged between seven and 14, since they were removed from their father’s care and she said they had trouble coping.

“We miss her jumping into photos and pulling funny faces, the mischief and the singing and dancing around the house,” she said.

Public defender Duncan Brakell asked for rehabilitation support for his client because he had a difficult upbringing, being taught crime was a way of life and suffering domestic and drug abuse. 

Solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Virginia Morgan, said Clark had “no business” riding the bike.

“He was travelling too fast for someone with no experience,” she said. 

Judge Julia Baly recognised Clark had already been punished with the loss of his partner, but also the loss of his home after Ms Gee’s brother, Mathew John Gee, set fire to it with Clark inside, forcing Clark to move to Cootamundra.

Mr Gee is currently serving a four-year jail sentence.

However, Judge Baly noted Clark had several previous traffic offences, sentencing him to three years’ jail, with a non-parole period of two years.