Driving ban for motorist who reversed into cyclist

A driver who braked suddenly then reversed into a cyclist who had banged on his car window after a close pass has been banned from driving for 12 months.

The motorist, Matthew Scarpellini from Warwick, aged 25, was given a conditional discharge after admitting dangerous driving at Warwick Crown Court, reports the Leamington Observer.

The incident happened in May 2013 when the cyclist, named as a Mr Green from Coventry was riding along Myton Road in Leamington Spa.

As he approached a traffic island, Scarpellini drove up behind him and sounded his horn, and what was described as “a bit of argy-bargy” between the pair as the driver tried to overtake the cyclist at the point where the road narrowed due to the traffic island.

During the court case, the prosecution said that Mr Green had banged on the car’s window with his hand.

That led to Scarpellini braking suddenly and reversing into the cyclist, who sustained a grazed elbow and knee after falling off his bike, which was also damaged. He drove away, but police found him later the same day.

Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said: “This was an altercation with a cyclist. It matters not in the least whose fault it was.

“The cyclist didn’t like the way he was driving and hit his side window, and he stopped and reversed back and hit the bike.”

Scarpellini was ordered to pay the Mr Green £100 compensation and will also have to pay a £60 victim surcharge.