DISTRACTED by someone shouting his name, a man cycling ploughed into an elderly woman in a pedestrianised area of the town centre.

But now he is eager to show how sorry he is by sending her a hand-written apology.

Jamie Loveridge, of Dumbarton Terrace, pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous cycling dating from May 5 on Wharf Green when he came before magistrates sitting in Swindon on Wednesday.

The court heard from crown prosecutor Nick Barr that the 86-year-old woman had been around three quarters of the way across Wharf Green when she felt a heavy impact to her left side which knocked her to the floor. The next thing she knew she was on the floor and she could see a bicycle lying next to her.

Mr Barr said: “Members of the public helped her up and the man riding his bicycle at speed asked her a number of times if she was going to report it rather than enquiring as to how she was.

“In interview later he said he was in that location riding his bike when a male called out to him, he stopped looking where he was going and he hit her. He doesn’t know why he was riding so quickly. He had taken two or three joints of legal high that day.”

Defending the 20-year-old who is currently on benefits and has a hearing impairment, Gordon Hotson told the court that his client had enquired about the woman’s well-being and he had apologised to her. “He is very remorseful and he would like to say sorry directly to her maybe with a letter or a card.

“He has quite severe learning difficulties and he is hearing impaired and wears hearing aids in both ears.”

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Linda Raine told him: “This is a nasty incident that would have shocked anyone, let alone someone of 86 years of age.

"We are going to award compensation to the lady concerned and that will be a punishment in its own right. You will pay £100 in compensation for her upset and injuries. Because of your income we are not going to make an award for costs.

“Your suggestion of a note or a card I am sure would be welcome.”