A CYCLIST who rode his bike the wrong way down a street at night with no lights on hit a woman and knocked her unconscious, the Magistrate’s Court heard.
Elliott Jude Kennedy (22) was cycling down Beresford Street at 1.15am on 25 June when the accident happened.
St Helier Centenier Paul Huelin, prosecuting, said: ‘He had no lights or headlamps on at all.’
Kennedy collided with the woman, who the court heard appeared heavily intoxicated, and knocked her to the ground. The court was shown a photograph of her head injury.
Kennedy also sustained minor injuries, and told the States police: ‘I know I was cycling the wrong way but I wasn’t cycling fast.’
Mr Huelin said Kennedy also appeared to have been drinking as his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet, but he was not breathalysed.
Advocate Mike Preston, defending, pointed out that Kennedy pleaded guilty and said: ‘He gave immediate co-operation to the police.
‘He is very sorry for what happened.’
Advocate Preston said the victim had been ‘grossly intoxicated’ but added: ‘Mr Kennedy does not seek to apportion blame. He takes full responsibility.’
Kennedy has one previous conviction for a motoring offence when aged 19 and Advocate Preston said: ‘He vowed then that he would never be back in court, so he is deeply ashamed.’
Relief Magistrate Nunes Da Costa said the case showed the importance of riding a bike with due care and attention.
He fined him £250 and allowed him to pay at the rate of £30 per week.
