Eight-month jail term for banned driver who injured cyclist in hit-and-run crash

A banned driver who left a cyclist unconscious in a hit-and-run incident in September has been jailed for eight months at Gloucester Crown Court.

Colin Buckingham, aged 28 of Lechlade, Gloucestershire, who has twice been convicted of drink-driving offences, had received a four-year ban from driving for four years in January.

The driver turned himself in to police a week after pensioner David Partridge was knocked off his bike on the A417 on the evening of September 21, reports the Swindon Advertiser.

Buckingham has now pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicle taking, failing to report an accident, driving while banned and having no insurance.

However, there’s no mention of charges in connection with the injuries suffered by the cyclist, which included an abrasion on his right forearm, bruising to his leg and back and pain in the ribs, which could have been fractured.

Prosecutor Susan Cavender told the court that at the time of the accident, Mr Partington was wearing a hi-viz jacket and had working lights on his bike.

“He has no recollection of what happened but woke up on the grass verge to find a passer-by helping him,” said Ms Cavender.

“Found nearby was a light blue nearside wing mirror. There was an appeal for witnesses but no-one came forward.

“Eight days later the defendant walked into Cirencester police station and surrendered himself.

“He admitted he had been driving the car and that he had taken it without the consent of the owner, a lady with whom he was staying at the time.

“He said he did not stop because he had panicked. The owner of the car had noticed the wing mirror was missing and that there were scratches down the side of the vehicle but she did not know it had been used that night.

“She was extremely shocked when she found out because she had trusted Mr Buckingham. It had not occurred to her that he had taken the car overnight.”

Miss Cavender added that Buckingham might never have been caught had he not turned himself in to police.

Representing himself, Buckingham said: “I am deeply sorry. I would not mind seeing Mr Partington in person to apologise. That’s all I can say really.”

Passing sentence, which besides the prison term included a further two-year driving ban, Judge William Hart told him: “You took a vehicle without the owner’s consent, drove it while disqualified and were then involved in a collision.

“You knew you were involved in a collision yet you drove off leaving the hapless cyclist to be looked after by someone else.”