The video will start in 8 Cancel

Have the top stories straight to your inbox for free - once a day, every day Yes please! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A cyclist was propelled through a car's rear windscreen, when an angry driver he shouted at for overtaking too close, slammed on his brakes.

The 33-year-old victim suffered multiple injuries and underwent operations to repair his hip and both knees as well as treatment to damaged tendons and ligaments.

Michael Harding, 66, admitted carelessly driving a silver Vauxhall Insignia on High Street, Heather, near Coalville, on May 22 last year.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Jamie Parsley, a self-employed chartered surveyor, had been cycling training along the road and was going over a traffic hump near a school when the defendant overtook him - about six inches from his handlebars.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, said the experienced long-distance cyclist told the driver: "Too close, too close."

The defendant gave him the V-sign before cutting in front of Mr Parsley and doing an emergency stop.

Mr Parsley who had been cycling at about 18 mph had no time to stop and collided with the rear of the car.

Mr Lody said: "He was catapulted through the rear screen and into the vehicle.

(Image: Leicester Mercury)

"Fortunately he was wearing a helmet, which collided with the metal window frame."

Mr Parsley had cycling shoes still attached to the pedals as the bike went with him.

Attitude was 'you've got all you deserved'

Witnesses saw the defendant "deliberately braking very hard" causing the complainant to run straight into him.

Mr Lody said: "The defendant's attitude at the scene was 'you've got all you deserved.' "

When interviewed by the police, Harding claimed he slowed on the approach to a junction and blamed the cyclist for riding into the back of his vehicle.

Mr Lody said: "Mr Parsley didn't appear seriously hurt at the scene, although he had unpleasant cuts."

Significant injuries were later discovered which have left him taking a considerable time off work and needing crutches to walk with. He has undergone 80 sessions of physiotherapy as the battles to restore his mobility and fitness.

What did the judge say?

Judge Robert Brown said the injuries were significant and it was hoped Mr Parsley would make a good recovery.

He said the defendant's behaviour was "thoughtless, petulant and immature" and added: "I hope he hangs his head in shame when he thinks about this.

"The fact he's pleaded guilty means the complainant will have a civil claim against him."

The judge added: "I accept he didn't intend to behave in such a thoughtless way."

What was the sentence?

Harding, of School Lane, Normanton Le Heath, near Coalville, was originally charged with dangerous driving, which he denied.

The prosecution accepted his guilty plea to the lesser alternative of careless driving on the day of trial.

He was fined £250 with £250 costs and given nine points on his licence, which already had five points on it, making him eligible for disqualification.

Harding was banned from driving for six months.

The judge said: "I'm glad to have heard the word sorry expressed on your behalf by your barrister, Mr Eley.

(Image: Leicester Mercury)

"It's not much but it's at the very least something the complainant can hear and your plea of guilty is in itself an acceptance of responsibility."

What was said in mitigation?

Jonathan Eley, mitigating, said the defendant had been driving a fully insured company car at the time.

He has since retired and was living on a pension.

Mr Eley said: "The tragedy is stupid mistakes and stupid accidents can result in serious consequences.

"This is an illustration of how road users really should contain their tempers as tragic accidents like this can happen."

Judge Brown said: "I accept he didn't intend to inflict such injuries but people shouldn't behave in such a thoughtless way."

Mr Eley said: "By his guilty plea he's saying sorry.

"He lives in a rural area where the nearest shop is four miles away so a driving ban will create a genuine hardship."