Mirfield death driver escapes ban

Mar 20 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A MIRFIELD van driver who caused a collision that killed a cyclist has been fined for careless driving but spared a ban that would have left him on the dole.

Victim Eric Sharpe,62, was cycling home after finishing a shift at a bakery when he was struck by a Mercedes Sprinter van on a roundabout in Dronfield, north Derbyshire, last August 23.

He was knocked off the bicycle and was declared dead at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. His injuries included a fractured skull and broken cervical spine.

Michael Treharne, prosecuting, told magistrates at Chesterfield yesterday that Philip Brocklebank,52, had "not spotted the cyclist".

"Whether the cyclist was visible is probably not an issue as a motorist behind the van saw him on the roundabout," said Mr Treharne.

"The driver admits he was concentrating on getting to the next point of call and can't explain why he didn't see him, unless the cyclist was on the blind side of a vehicle that had passed by immediately before."

Mr Treharne added: "The driver had stopped at the roundabout to let traffic pass. He said he didn't know where the cyclist had come from."

Brocklebank, of Crowlees Close, Mirfield, was delivering stationery to Dronfield Civic Centre when the 2pm collision occurred. He admitted a charge of careless driving.

Gareth Owens, defending, said there was no suggestion that Brocklebank had hurried onto the roundabout. He had not been drinking, was not tired and the van was in good order.

Mr Owens said Brocklebank, a former printer, would lose his job with Leeds-based Lyre if magistrates imposed a driving ban - and at the age of 52 it would not be easy for him to find work.

Magistrates fined Brocklebank £735, plus a £15 victim surcharge and £60 costs. They imposed seven penalty points on his licence, taking his current total to ten – two short of a totting ban.

At an inquest in January, Deputy North Derbyshire Coroner Catherine Mason recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Sharpe, of Brownfield.