Glasgow taxi driver fined following cyclist's death Published duration 18 October 2016

image copyright Google image caption Police said the crash happened on Keppochhill Road (pictured), near Saracen Street.

A Glasgow taxi driver has been fined £400 after hitting a cyclist, who later died, with his driver's door.

Joseph Connelly, 54, parked his black hackney on Keppochhill Road on 20 May 2015 and opened the door as David Thomson was passing on his bike.

Connelly hit the pensioner who fell off his bicycle and suffered severe head injuries.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the 67-year-old, originally from Dundee, was taken to hospital but died later.

Connelly, from Garnethill, Glasgow, pled guilty to opening the door while it was parked "to the endangerment and injury" of Mr Thomson.

'Swerved round'

When questioned at the scene, Connelly said "He didn't hit the door, he swerved round it and lost control."

His lawyer said Connelly had initially thought he had not hit Mr Thomson and believed it was his satchel bag that clipped the door.

Fining Connelly, Sheriff Celia Sanderson said the incident was "tragic" and she noted her "surprise" at the charge Connelly faced.

She pointed out he had not been charged with causing Mr Thomson's death.