Cyclist hurt in "road rage" attack last year dies

John Radford, the cyclist severely injured in a road rage attack last July, has died.

Mr Radford, who was 69 at the time was knocked off his bike after an altercation with Michael Gledhill, 23 on July 31 2013. Last month Leeds Crown Court found Gledhill guilty of causing serious injury through dangerous driving

The crash left Mr Radford in a wheelchair with severe brain damage. Gledhill has not yet been sentenced, but has been told to expect to do jail time.

According to the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Mr Radford was discharged just over a week ago from a specialist neurological rehabilitation centre in York, as his condition had worsened.

He returned to him home in Meltham.

He died during the night of November 4 with wife Pat and daughters Emma and Helen by his bedside.

John Radford was chairman of Huddersfield CTC and a Yorkshire regional representative on the CTC’s national council.

He is credited with spearheading the CTC's Road Justice campaign in West Yorkshire by meeting with his PCC, Mark Burns-Williamson, to deliver the Road Justice report.

Kirkless councillor and former mayor Martyn Bolt, who succeeded John Radford on the CTC national council said: “John was a remarkable man.

“He will be a great loss to the local cycling community. For many years John was a big figure both physically and administratively and he leaves big boots to fill.

“I was privileged to have ridden with him in his last endurance race and he was a man always willing to help others. He will be sorely missed.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Readers have asked whether the charge against Michael Gledhill can now be changed to causing death by dangerous driving. Under the Law Reform (Year and a Day Rule) Act 1996, this does seem to be possible. However a prosecution under these circumstances requires the consent of the Attorney General. We're trying to find out if such permission is being sought.