Cargo ship captain jailed for six years over deadly North Sea tanker crash

A cargo ship captain found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter has been jailed for six years.

Vladimir Motin was on watch on the Solong when it collided with US tanker Stena Immaculate off the East Yorkshire coast - leaving 38-year-old Mark Angelo Pernia missing presumed dead.

A trial at the Old Bailey in London heard Motin, 59, did not keep a proper lookout on 10 March last year, or use all available means to determine the risk of a collision or leave enough time to take evasive action.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Andrew Baker told Motin Mr Pernia's death was "wholly avoidable".

Defence barristers previously told the trial there was no doubt Motin was at fault for the collision, but claimed his actions did not amount to gross negligence manslaughter.

Prosecutor Julia Faure-Walker said Motin had lied about what happened to "get back to his wife" in Russia.

The judge said Motin's version of events was "extremely implausible".

The basic facts of the collision "suggest a ship unaware of the ship ahead" and that was the "most likely" explanation, he added.

Motin had led jurors on a "merry dance" in his evidence, which was an "exercise in inventive distraction", Mr Justice Baker said.

"His claim to be confused was a lie that unravelled when tested at trial."