Orpington Man Jailed for 13 Years for Killing Moped Rider Wayne Wigley in Deliberate Crash

Overview

A man has been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of manslaughter for deliberately ramming his car into a moped, causing the death of 36-year-old Wayne Wigley in a road rage attack last year.

Neil Sullingston, 53, of Orpington, was sentenced at %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_0%% Crown Court today following a trial where jurors heard how he used his white Seat Ibiza as a weapon on the A244 near Esher on the morning of 1 July 2024.

The incident was the culmination of a %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_1%% of confrontations between Sullingston and Mr Wigley, with previous road rage altercations reported by Sullingston to police on 16 May and 5 June 2024.

The Fatal Confrontation

Dashcam and CCTV footage showed the two vehicles approaching traffic lights at the junction with Milbourne Lane at around 6.19am, when Mr Wigley threw a rock at Sullingston's car, shattering the rear window.

Mr Wigley then moved into the right-hand filter lane on his moped. Sullingston immediately swerved into the filter lane in close pursuit, accelerating into the back of the moped without braking or swerving.

The impact was devastating. Mr Wigley was thrown from his scooter, sustaining catastrophic injuries, including the severing of his lower right leg. Despite the heroic efforts of bystanders, an off-duty police officer, paramedic, and %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_2%% officer, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Victim's Family Pay Tribute

In a heartfelt statement, Wayne Wigley's %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_3%% said:

"Wayne is dearly missed by his seven %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_4%%, his mum, dad, partner, sister, and all his friends.
He was strong-minded, loyal, generous, and funny — a keen fisherman, a skilled banger racer, and a gifted car mechanic.
We would like to thank all our family and friends for their support, which has helped us through the horror of what has happened."

Sentencing Remarks

The judge described Sullingston's actions as "a deliberate and reckless act of violence," adding that his use of a vehicle in such a manner displayed a callous disregard for human life.

Sullingston, who had denied murder but was found guilty of manslaughter, will serve a 13-year custodial sentence.