Driver, 31, reversed his van into cyclist

Stephen Follows was reversing his Ford Transit when it struck Kevin Smith, throwing him from the bike.

The cyclist spent a week in hospital with his injuries. He also sustained a chipped pelvis in the accident along Straight Mile, Calf Heath.

Follows, of Stable Lane, Calf Heath, had denied a charge of driving a vehicle in a public place without due care and attention.

But he was found guilty following a trial at Cannock Magistrates Court and was fined £190, ordered to pay £650 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

The court was told that Follows, aged 31, was reversing off a driveway after visiting his girlfriend when he hit Mr Smith. There was a hedge which caused an obstruction but Follows told police he was driving with caution and the cyclist went into the back of his van.

It happened at around 5pm on April 16 this year and emergency services were called. It was said Follows told the 44 year-old cyclist to get out the road, which the driver insisted was to preserve his safety after falling down to the floor.

Mike Phillips, prosecuting, said: "He has driven out of the driveway carelessly, he has failed to see Mr Smith who has right of way."

Mr Smith has recovered from his injuries although he still receives physiotherapy and has discomfort following the accident. The court was told there was no opportunity for him to brake.

He said: "I swerved to try and avoid it, it just carried on coming. It threw me off my bike.

"I am an experienced cyclist. He just shot out. I am not going to break my back for no reason."

Follows told the court that he was in the middle of the road and should have been in view of the cyclist. He said Mr Smith must have come between parked vehicles.

"I was reversing off the drive slowly because it is like a race track at that time," he said.

"I had gone out into the middle of the lane. Next thing there is a bang, I have jumped out and asked if he was alright."

Magistrates also put six penalty points on his driving licence. Presiding magistrate Colin Clarke said: "We found the reversing fell below the standard expected."