The family of a tragic Huddersfield cyclist may have to wait still longer for a funeral.

News of the delays came after further applications were made in Leeds Crown Court.

The case of car driver Michael Gledhill, awaiting sentence after he left cyclist John Radford brain damaged following a road confrontation, was mentioned in court today because the victim has since died.

Gledhill, 23 of Bramble Bank, Holmfirth, was unanimously found guilty by a jury at Leeds Crown Court in October of causing serious injury to Mr Radford by dangerous driving on July 31 last year.

Sentence was adjourned for reports but Mr Radford subsequently died and the case was then referred to the Attorney General. Police asked him to look at the possibility of other charges.

Judge Christopher Batty was told that the coroner was proposing to release Mr Radford’s body but Stephen Grattage representing Gledhill, who was not at court, said that might cause problems for the defence.

The court heard a post mortem had been carried out but the defence had not had the opportunity for anything they needed to be considered.

Judge Batty said he hoped things could be done quickly and if the defence were unable to carry out their own investigations that the coroner reconsider his position.

Mr Radford, 70, from Meltham, was a keen cyclist and chairman of Huddersfield Cyclists Touring Club. He was on his way home when Gledhill drove up behind him on the A616 between New Mill and Brockholes.

After Gledhill beeped his horn at the pensioner a witness described seeing the two of them exchanging words through the driver’s side window.

She described Mr Radford moving off and the car driver then “steer towards him.” She did not see contact but the cyclist fell into the road beside his bike and suffered head injury and brain damage.

Gledhill, who at the time was about to leave the army as a Lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, told the jury he did not think he had made any contact and after parking up had returned to try and help the pensioner.

Mr Radford died at his home in November with his wife Pat and daughters Emma and Helen at his bedside.

Family friend and fellow cyclist, Clr Martyn Bolt, said it was another unfortunate delay.

“We held a very moving memorial service for John’s life at Christ Church, Helme, and it was attended by hundreds of people from all over the country.

“The family had wanted to have a private funeral at the same time but obviously they are still waiting”.

The Attorney General is still considering any further action.