A MOTORIST who failed to stop after knocking a man off his bicycle has been ordered to pay £470 in fines and costs and has had his licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Martin Anthony McNaney, 34, told a hearing at Consett Magistrates’ Court he saw the cyclist get up and thought he was “alright” and panicked.

David Bryson, prosecuting, said a cyclist in his 40s was crossing the roundabout at at Ouston Lane, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, when the accident happened at 6.40am on August 9.

“The cyclist was going straight over the roundabout, but a vehicle approached from his left and caught his rear wheel, knocking him off his bike," he said.

“The driver of the vehicle slowed down and looked back but then drove on.”

When McNaney was traced from his registration number, he told police he had thought the roundabout was empty and the accident was an error of judgement on his part.

Mr Bryson said: “He said he stopped momentarily and thought the cyclist was alright and drove off. The cyclist did suffer injuries.”

In mitigation, McNaney said the sun was low and he had not seen the cyclist coming.

“I panicked and thought I would lose everything. I knew he (the cyclist) was ok and left.”

McNaney of Wensley Close, Ouston, pleaded guilty to careless driving and to failing to stop after an accident and apologised for his actions.