Mostyn road rage driver knocked Ruthin cyclist off bike

Robert Hughes, of Ffordd Hiraethog in Mostyn, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Friday afternoon.

The 53-year-old had previously admitted that on December 19 he caused serious injury by dangerous driving, as well as failing to stop or report an accident.

Sarah Badrawy, prosecuting, told the court that at around 10.20am, Keith Godfrey set off from his Ruthin home with his wife on a bike ride.

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When they reached the A494 heading back in the direction of Ruthin, a silver Mercedes vehicle passed Mr Godfrey, leaving a gap of about a foot.

He expressed his frustration by verbally insulting the driver of the Mercedes - Hughes - who stopped further down the road.

Mr Godfrey passed, not wanting to have a confrontation, but moments later he became aware of the vehicle's bonnet close to his thigh.

The next thing he knew, he was up in the air and landed on his hip.

Hughes drove away from the scene, leaving the victim in the road with a broken hip.

He required three-hour hip replacement surgery and two days in hospital, as well as ongoing medication and physiotherapy.

Reading his victim statement out in court, Mr Godfrey said the rehabilitation and recovery had been a "slow process" and had resulted in a great deal of pain and discomfort.

 Robert Hughes. Image: North Wales Police

It also affected him mentally, and left him fearful of taking on physical challenges he'd have previously relished.

Ms Badrawy told the court the defendant had admitted the offences on a basis - in that his striking victim Keith Godfrey with his wing mirror was a reckless act, not a deliberate one.

She added the basis was accepted by the Crown, but it was maintained the act of driving too close was deliberate.

"He wanted to put the fear of God into this cyclist and unfortunately hit him," Judge Niclas Parry said.

"I'll sentence him on the basis that he was verbally abused, lost his temper and tried to frighten this man but hit him."

Robin Boag, defending, asked the Judge to give his client credit for having admitted the offences and described the incident as "a few seconds of bad misjudgement."

He said it illustrated what could happen when such confrontations escalate beyond verbal disagreement.

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Mr Boag said his client hadn't realised the consequences of the collision, saying he believed it had been a "glancing blow", but that didn't excuse his leaving the scene.

Judge Parry told the defendant: "This is a case of road rage. It is yet another case which highlights the danger posed to cyclists by people who drive irresponsibly.

"Your response was completely disproportionate and highly dangerous - you effectively used your vehicle as a weapon to intimidate this cyclist.

"Such was your anger and disregard for basic safety that you went far too close and the inevitable happened.

"It is a serious aggravating feature that you simply left him in the road without a care for his welfare."

Hughes was jailed for 16 months and handed a two-and-a-half year driving ban which will come into effect when he is eligible for release on license at the half-way point of the jail time.

No separate penalty was imposed for the fail to stop or report offences, but Judge Parry said they were considered aggravating features of the main offence.

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