Cement mixer driver jailed for six months for careless driving that killed cyclist, aged 74

Vincent Taylor, aged 35, of Denford Road, Ringstead, clipped Mike Bloom as the highly experienced cyclist took a right-hand turn across his HGV on the A361 at the Aston le Walls crossroads on June 30 last year.

Yesterday, Northampton Crown Court heard that - although Taylor sounded his horn and tried to take evasive action - Mr Bloom’s clothing became entangled in the HGV’s wheels. Although Mr Bloom’s bike suffered very little damage, he was injured by contact with the road.

He suffered massive pelvic injuries and died in hospital six days later.

Sentencing Taylor, Judge Mayo acknowledged that Taylor admitted the offence all along and had tried his best to help Mr Bloom at the scene, covering him with a blanket and coat and lighting a beacon on his vehicle to guide the air ambulance.

Judge Mayo also said that several witnesses described Taylor’s driving on that journey as ‘exemplary’.

But, sentencing him to six months in prison and handing him a two-year driving ban, Judge Mayo said he could not excuse the fact that Taylor had tried to overtake at such a dangerous point.

He added: “The cyclists were entitled to turn right in the way they did and you should have reacted earlier.”