A cyclist who suffered a broken shoulder and broken ribs when he was knocked off his bike by a 72-year-old motorist had to drag himself to safety after he was 'abandoned' by the driver who left the scene.

Bertie Soanes had been driving his Vauxhall Corsa on Chapel Lane, Wymondham, but failed to give way to a cyclist as he emerged from a junction.

Norwich Magistrates Court heard Soanes struck the cyclist who suffered 'serious injuries', including a broken shoulder and four broken ribs.

Soanes told the cyclist he would call an ambulance but then left the scene, leaving the victim to 'drag himself to safety'.

A victim impact statement heard the cyclist spent three days in hospital following the incident on March 11 this year.

He was put on strong pain-killing medication, had to take between six and eight weeks off to rest and suffered low mood as a result.

The victim did not fully return to work until July - but still with limited movement in his right shoulder.

He used to go out cycling regularly but did not 'go out on his bike as much now' after what happened.

Soanes, of Watton Road, Hingham, appeared at court on Monday, September 25 where he admitted driving without due care and attention and failing to stop.

Disqualifying Soanes from driving for six months, chair of the bench Dick Meadows, said: 'What makes this worse is you abandoned the cyclist in the road.'

Mr Meadows said while Soanes might not have realised he had caused serious injuries, the fact he left him there 'makes it much worse'.

Soanes was also fined £133 for driving without due care and attention, a further £133 for failing to stop.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Vedrana Pehar, mitigating for Soanes, said he was a man of impeccable character who had never previously had any convictions or driving matters on his record.

She said he accepted responsibility and was 'extremely apologetic'.

Ms Pehar added her client had not appreciated what happened at the time of the incident in terms of the injuries caused to the cyclist.

She added he recognised the seriousness of the offence, was 'petrified' and also ashamed to be in court for the first time in his life.