A driver reversed into a cyclist and broke his arm. Louise Matthews was avoiding a large vehicle when she hit the cyclist who later went to hospital.
The defendant was tried in her absence and found guilty last Tuesday. Today a District Judge at Llandudno Magistrates Court gave her a 12-month community order for which she must do 160 hours of unpaid work.
The 39-year-old's solicitor said she would be appealing against the conviction. The court heard that Matthews, of Ffordd Anwyl, Rhyl, had been driving a Skoda along Prince Edward Avenue in Rhyl on February 8.
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Prosecutor Rachael Drew said the defendant, who was travelling towards traffic lights, had to reverse "six to ten feet" at one point to avoid a large vehicle which was approaching her from the opposite direction. But the defendant made contact with the cyclist Martyn Jones.
He was able to keep his bike upright but was injured and felt pain on his right side. Later he went to the Accident and Emergency department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan with a swollen right forearm, the court heard today.
He had X-rays and was diagnosed with a fracture of the middle, inner bone of his right forearm and a fracture of an inner bone of his right firearm. He had to wear a plaster cast and was referred to an orthopaedic team.
Sharley Potter, defending, said Matthews is a single mother who has had a rare form of long Covid-19. She was convicted of the causing serious injury by careless driving offence after a trial in her absence but has today served a notice of appeal against her conviction.
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The District Judge Gwyn Jones told Matthews: "I have got to be bound by the finding of the justices namely that the standard of your driving fell below what could be expected of a reasonable and prudent driver and that caused an injury to Martyn Jones."
There had been "unsafe manoeuvring or positioning" when she reversed without having regard to the person behind her, he added. Imposing the community order and unpaid work requirement the judge also banned Matthews from driving for 12 months.
She was also ordered to pay £775 towards prosecution costs and £197.97 for the damage to the bike. The judge added: "The fact you are appealing does not prevent you from doing any aspect of the community order."
