Man jailed for seriously injuring two cyclists

A MAN has been jailed for 10 months after seriously injuring two cyclists during a collision at a Twyford roundabout.

Zahin Ali has also been banned from driving for two years.

At a hearing on December 13 last year, the 20-year-old from Laggan Road in Maidenhead pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.

Reading Crown Court heard that on June 2 last year, Ali was driving a Vauxhall Astra along the A4 Bath Road towards Reading when he failed to stop at a roundabout, resulting in him colliding with two cyclists.

The incident was captured on dashcam footage.

The cyclists, a woman in her forties and a woman in her fifties, both sustained lifechanging injuries.

Ali was charged on September 28 last year via postal requisition, and sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Monday, March 18.

Investigating officer Sergeant Matthew Cadmore, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “The victims’ lives and those of their families have been tipped upside down due to Zahin Ali deciding to drive so carelessly.

“Everyone has the right to travel on the road safely, whether by car, motorcycle, pedal cycle, horse or on foot.

“Drivers should take extra care to avoid collisions with vulnerable road users, because a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider will always come off worse. Whenever and wherever you drive:

■ Watch your speed

■ Expect to encounter different road users

■ Be patient. Give others time and room

■ Be ready for others to make mistakes

■ Concentrate on your driving

■ Never drive and use a mobile phone. You can easily be distracted from concentrating on the road.

“I hope this sentence serves as a reminder to people who chose to drive in such a manner that there are consequences not only for them but for others too.”