“It is assumed that he failed to see the cyclist and simply drove into him.”

A DRIVER whose lapse in concentration led to the death of a cyclist has been spared jail. Michael Jones admitted causing the death by careless driving of John Johnson, on the A174 Parkway, near Middlesbrough, in September last year.

Mr Johnson, a 50-yearold father of three, from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, was hit by Jones’ Ford Focus and died at the scene.

The court was told that Jones was travelling within the national speed limit, at 60 to 70mph, while Mr Johnson was cycling at about 20mph.

Judge Fox, sentencing, told Jones: “Mr Johnson was wearing a bright cycling shirt; he was there to be seen. This was a very tragic accident by reason of your error of judgement.”

Jones was banned from driving for three years

“This was a very tragic accident by reason of your error of judgment or, over a significant period of distance, inattention.

Prosecutor Christine Egerton said: “The precise reason for the collision is unknown. It is assumed that he failed to see the deceased and simply drove into him.”