Man with no licence or insurance seriously injured cyclist

A man who knocked over a cyclist while driving without a licence or insurance has avoided an immediate jail term.

Gary Thomas Beaulieu of Staarvey Road in Peel admitted having no licence or insurance as well as causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care and attention.

He appeared for sentence before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse, where his advocate David Reynolds told the hearing his client was truly remorseful.

The court heard 58 year old Beaulieu had needed to get to work on January 1 last year, and had taken his wife’s car.

But he hit a cyclist, causing serious facial injuries as well as broken ribs - costing his victim around £12,000 in losses and medical bills.

Mr Reynolds said his client drove off-road vehicles as a hobby but had never taken his driving test and had overestimated his driving skill.

Mrs Hughes ordered him to do a total of 200 hours community service and banned him from the roads for two years.

He was also ordered to pay £50 costs and the maximum possible compensation award to his victim - £5,000.