Drunk cyclist fined after crash into taxi
James McQuillan, who fractured a kneecap and broke ribs after drunkenly crashing his push bike into a taxi.
Published on Monday 6 February 2012 10:20
A cyclist needed hospital treatment when he crashed his pink mountain bike into a taxi as he rode the wrong way down a road at night without lights.
James McQuillan (38) of Kilham, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, was riding along Morley Way, Woodston, Peterborough, when he lost control and crashed into the taxi on October 23 last year.
After the crash he was arrested and breathalysed and gave a reading of 86 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath - more than twice the drink drive limit of 35 microgrammes.
He also received treatment at Peterborough City Hospital for a fractured kneecap and broken ribs sustained in the late night collision.
Despite spending more than three months recovering, he was still limping yesterday as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
Yesterday, he appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to careless cycling. McQuillan was fined £50, ordered to pay costs of £70 and a victim surcharge of £15.
Sattam Al-Mugheiry, prosecuting, told the court how the defendant said he had made the journey several times before, including while he was drunk.
He said: “The defendant was riding his pink mountain bike along Morley Way at night with no lights fitted on the front or the back."
“He rode on the wrong side of the road, and collided with a taxi."
“He suffered more serious injuries than the taxi, as the taxi is more robust than the mountain bike."
“The taxi suffered just a broken wing mirror."
“The defendant said he had drank a few drinks before riding the bike and was an alcoholic."
“He also said he had made the journey a number of times after drinking.”
McQuillan, defending himself, said: “It was a little bit silly trying to take the corner like I did."
“I have done that journey a number of times, but I was very silly.”
He added: “I fractured my knee cap, and had to be in plaster for 11 weeks. I have only been out of the cast for three weeks. I also broke some ribs.”
His appearance came just one day after he was fined £200 for shoplifting, when he admitted stealing eight cans of beer from a shop in Hampton, Peterborough. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85, a £15 victim surcharge and compensation of £13.98 for the theft
McQuillan had told the court he did not remember taking the beer from the One Stop Convenience Store in Hampton on October 21 last year, but admitted he had taken the beer.
The goods were not recovered by the shop.
At the second hearing, District Judge Ken Sheraton, sentencing, told McQuillan: “It is not a good sign when a judge recognises you in court.”
Source; http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news ... _1_3492191
