A van driver deliberately drove close to a cyclist whilst a passenger leaned out of the window and “whipped” him with a phone cable.

The father-of-six and his passenger thought that it would be “entertaining” to intimidate and frighten the cyclist, Hull Live reported from Hull Crown Court.

Reece Austin, 31, of Malthouse Lane, Bridlington, admitted to an offence of dangerous driving on May 26 last year. He originally denied the offence but later changed his plea and received a one-year driving ban and an order to complete 60 hours’ unpaid work.

The prosecutor, Katy Welford told the court that at about 9.13 am, a cyclist was riding along the narrow B1253 country road towards Rudston, near Bridlington, when the driver of a Ford Transit van overtook him and passed very close to him.  

The cyclist later said: “I was very shocked that someone could behave this way. I was left bewildered as to why someone would consider this acceptable behaviour.”

“Fortunately, I am not easily intimidated. I am determined not to allow the actions of others to affect me. It has caused me to feel anxious and nervous while cycling. 

“My wife will no longer cycle on open roads. The consequences could have been catastrophic. I believe that people like this should not be allowed to drive on our roads.”

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Molly Minter, mitigating, said that Austin had no excuse for his actions. “It was a stupid thing to do, an immature thing to do,” said Miss Minter. “He doesn’t shy away from the fact that his behaviour was unacceptable, and he has a great deal of remorse.”

Laughing was heard from the van in the video of the incident, but Austin claimed it was not coming from him. He said if one of his children were injured in a similar incident, he would have been devastated. 

Austin was previously self-employed, selling second-hand clothes, and a driving ban would affect his work. He was on Universal Credit and had debts of £5,150.  

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Recorder Caroline Sellars said that “this was a short-lived, incredibly stupid act of driving. It was highly dangerous, particularly given the act of your passenger, of which you were clearly aware. The cyclist was a vulnerable road user. 

“You have lost employment opportunities because of your actions and the loss of your licence. Your behaviour was reckless, immature and stupid.”

Austin was given 60 hours’ unpaid work, and he was banned from driving for one year. He must pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.