Cyclist pulled from bike by car passenger

A CYCLIST was pulled off his bike by a car passenger, who left him in agony on the roadside with a broken elbow and hand fractures.

Other road users saw Ashton Nutting put his head and arm out of the vehicle to carry out the assault, on the B5380 near Botcheston.

Leicester Crown Court was told the encounter took place at 8.20am on January 27 last year.

Thomas Welshman, prosecuting, said occupants of a car shouted abuse at the cyclist as they overtook him.

The bike rider made a gesture with his right arm in response.

He then ended up alongside the vehicle.

That was when 20-year-old Nutting pulled him off his bicycle causing “severely painful” injuries that resulted in him being in a plaster cast for five weeks and requiring physiotherapy for several months.

The victim’s Apple watch was damaged along with his helmet, bicycle and clothing. Mr Welshman said the cyclist was unable to drive or carry out everyday activities for some time afterwards.

The victim was said to be now scared of cycling on main roads.

The defendant admitted making contact with the cyclist when questioned, but claimed he acted in self-defence.

However, Nutting, a bricklayer, of Glaisdale Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, later pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

Sentencing, Judge Keith Raynor said: “This was an absolutely idiotic thing to do.

“You were a passenger in a car and he was on his bike.

“Something went on between you.

“When he was alongside the car you were seen, by independent witnesses, to put your head and arm out of the car window.

“You grabbed hold of him on his bike and pulled him down to the floor, causing him to suffer significant injuries – a fractured elbow and two broken fingers.

“Cyclists are vulnerable in those circumstances and you left him in a real state afterwards.”

The judge said he was stepping back from imposing immediate custody, despite the seriousness, because of the harsh Covid-19 restrictions in jail and because there was a prospect of rehabilitation, given Nutting’s lack of previous convictions.

Michael Haggar, mitigating, said: “He has mental health concerns.”

He said Nutting’s partner, who had accompanied him to court, was due to give birth next month.

Nutting received a six-month detention sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to pay £1,500 compensation to the victim, along with £200 towards the prosecution costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

RIDE SUFFERED BROKEN ELBOW AND NEEDED PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR MONTHS