A lorry driver who knocked over a cyclist was “too engrossed in a telephone conversation” at the time and then failed to put the handbrake on when she was trapped under his wheels, a court was told yesterday.

Petre Beiu had been using a hands-free mobile for ten minutes before his four-axle Lynch Haulage tipper lorry drove over Mary Bowers, a Times reporter who was cycling to work.

Witnesses described hearing “bloodcurdling screams” from Ms Bowers and seeing other people with “their hands in the air” as the incident unfolded.

Jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court were told yesterday that Ms Bowers, 28, suffered “life-changing injuries” and is still “ill” following the incident in East London on November 4 last year.

Babatunde Alabi, for the prosecution,