Driver who seriously injured cyclist 'blinded by the sun'

A court’s heard a van driver who seriously injured a cyclist on the TT course was momentarily blinded by the sun.

Daniel Mark Ward of Woodbourne Road in Douglas appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse for sentencing.

He’d previously pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care and attention on the Ballahutchin Straight in Glen Vine on April 27 last year.

The court heard the 52 year old was heading towards Glen Lough in his Nissan van just before 8pm, when the setting sun shone directly into his eyes.

Ward’s advocate said he’d slowed down and flipped his sun visor, but clipped the cyclist - causing broken ribs, a collapsed lung and chipped vertebrae.

Magistrates said the case was a sad but serious one which could have happened to anybody.

Ward was ordered to do 160 hours of community service and banned from driving for a year.

He was also ordered to pay £300 in costs.