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An agricultural student, who was driving a tractor when he carelessly knocked over and killed a cyclist, has avoided jail.

Phillip Thompson, 64, of Oadby, suffered fatal injuries when being overtaken by David Huntley-Walker, who was towing a trailer.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said the collision happened on the B6047, in New Inn Lane, between Billesdon and Market Harborough, at 12.15pm on Sunday, July 30, last year.

Huntley-Walker, 20, was overtaking Mr Thompson’s bicycle as they approached a right hand bend at about 30mph.

The judge said the tractor driver’s actions were “an error of judgement” due to inexperience.

Huntley-Walker returned to his lane too early – because of an oncoming vehicle – which caused the back of the trailer to strike Mr Thompson’s shoulder.

The impact threw him into the road and causing head and chest injuries.

Mr Thompson, a married father-of-two, was airlifted to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry, where he died the following day.

Leicester Crown Court was told Huntley-Walker, a student at Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural University, was on a work experience placement, employed as a harvester, with Picks of Tugby.

He was unaware of the collision until another motorist caught up with him – and he immediately returned to the scene to try and help.

Mr Thomas said there were no aggravating features such as speed or alcohol and the defendant was fully insured to use the tractor, which he had driven on local lanes for about two weeks prior to the incident.

Huntley-Walker, a Zimbabwean national, of Ashcroft Road, Cirencester, admitted causing death by careless driving.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for a year.

What the judge said

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: “Phillip Thompson was a keen cyclist. He’s described as being a loving family man.

“He was a gentleman who was kind to others.

“He was a good man.

“Mr Thompson was known to cycle long distances and had raised money for charity.

“His loss is deeply, keenly and sadly felt by his family.”

Of the collision, the judge said the road “requires care and thought when overtaking.

He added: “Mr Thompson was riding his bicycle quite properly, close to the nearside kerb.

“The defendant made some efforts to overtake before choosing to do so at a location approaching a right hand bend, high hedges and limited forward visibility.

"It was an error of judgement; an error other motorists would have made in the same circumstances.

“This wasn’t a moment’s inattention, it was an error of judgement.

“What’s present here is a lack of driving experience. I’ve no doubt his remorse is genuine.

“The punishment is the knowledge he will carry for many years – that he’s responsible for the death of Mr Thompson.

“That’s far worse than any sentence of imprisonment.”

Huntley-Walker’s barrister, Alexander Stein, said: “The defendant apologises and is deeply remorseful for the suffering and pain he’s caused to Mr Thompson and his family.

“When he realised what he’d done he went to the scene and did the best he could to help while the ambulance was on its way.”

References described him as “a decent young man” who is in the middle of his agricultural degree.

'A loving and caring father'

A tribute was paid to cyclist Phillip Thompson during the trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Prosecutor James Thomas told the court that the 64-year-old left a wife, Tessa, son Roschan and daughter Karmel.

He said the family was “devastated” by their loss.

Mr Thomas said: “He’s described as a loving and caring father and a true gentleman who always thought about others.

“He had a love of the outdoors, nature and life.”

Mr Thompson was a keen cyclist and sometimes rode long distances, including to raise funds for charity.

Mr Thomas said: “He had a close family and many friends who considered him a selfless and caring person.”

He said Mrs Thompson had described her husband as her “soulmate” who had always encouraged others to live life to the full.