A driver who hit a cyclist causing her serious injuries has blamed a momentary lapse in concentration. 

Richard Garstin, 76, pulled out at a junction striking the woman cyclist who was left with injuries so severe she has required multiple surgeries and has still not fully recovered. 

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told she had been thrown up on the bonnet of his Skoda Octavia and then into the path of other traffic in a crash at the Norwich Road and Lime Kiln Lane junction in Thetford on May 14. 

READ MORE: Cyclist seriously injured in crash in Norwich Road, Thetford

In a statement read in court, the cyclist, a woman in her 40s, said: “At the moment of impact I began to panic and I knew I was going to be run over. When the driver finally braked I was thrown up onto the bonnet and into traffic. 

Eastern Daily Press: The crash happened at the junction of Norwich Road and Lime Kiln Lane junction in ThetfordThe crash happened at the junction of Norwich Road and Lime Kiln Lane junction in Thetford (Image: Google)

“Fortunately I was not hit again as I had been thrown on the opposite side of the carriageway. I felt the most intense pain.” 

She added: “The driver approached me and the only words he said to me was that he had accelerated rather than braking.” 

Sarah Fiddy, prosecuting, said she had suffered serious injuries including two fractures to her clavicle that had required several surgeries to insert pins and metal plates. 

Ongoing medical issues had affected her mobility and she has since left her job and is unsure when she will be able to return to work, she added. 

Eastern Daily Press: Richard Garstin leaving Norwich Magistrates' Court where he was banned from driving for 16 monthsRichard Garstin leaving Norwich Magistrates' Court where he was banned from driving for 16 months (Image: Newsquest)

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Garstin, a retired RAF engineer, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving.

Samir Pasaha, mitigating, said he was “hugely remorseful” and “very upset about the injuries that have been suffered”.

“The key phrase is momentary lapse in concentration, this is the reason why he is in the dock today,” he added.

Banning him from driving for 16 months, magistrates said he had caused the accident and the cyclist had been a vulnerable road user. He was also ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,373.