Court / Ban and unpaid work for driver who caused serious accident involving a cyclist

A CAR HIRE employee who collided with a cyclist causing serious injury has been disqualified from driving for a year and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Seventy six year old Charles Smith, of Sandwick, was also told to pay £1,000 in compensation to the well-known and experienced local cyclist.

Appearing for sentencing at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client had been unfamiliar with car he was driving and was temporarily distracted by its technology when the accident happened on the road between Dunrossness and Sumburgh on 15 December last year.

He said Smith was full of remorse and is taking full responsibility for what happened.

He said at no time had he forgotten about the victim, adding that the accident was “weighing heavily on him”.

The court had heard previously that the female cyclist was thrown off her bike and into a ditch from the impact of the collision, leaving her with multiple injuries.

Smith had pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving at a court hearing last month.

Sheriff Davie Harvie reminded Smith that his momentary distraction caused a collision that had “very, very significant consequences for the cyclist” and added that the outcome could have been even worse.

The sheriff took into consideration that Smith had no previous convictions and that he had accepted full responsibility from the earliest opportunity.