A driver who knocked an experienced cyclist off her bike on the outskirts of Lerwick, leaving her unconscious in the middle of the road, has been given ten penalty points and £750 in fines.
Paul White, of Tingwall, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday a charge of careless driving on the A970 at Frakkafield on March 17 which saw him fail to notice the bicycle ahead of him before colliding with it.
The 33 year old also pleaded guilty to failing to give his name and address and reporting the incident to police within 24 hours.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the cost to the woman was around £5,230, with the £1,000 bicycle and specialist clothing damaged beyond repair, while she also lost money which had already been paid for competing in events.
The fiscal said the cyclist had lights on the front and rear of her bike and she also wore a high visibility jacket, as she took to the road just after 7pm.
The court heard that the cyclist was travelling uphill near to the Frakkafield junction when the incident happened.
He returned to the scene, but the woman had gone.
Mackenzie said White returned home thinking he had hit something, but he wasn’t sure what. However, he turned himself in two days later after reading in local media that police were looking for information.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client, who works as a brick layer, was “deeply sorry” for the accident.
Sheriff Philip Mann said he was prepared to accept that White didn’t see the cyclist and he could understand how it could have happened if he was following a vehicle.
