NSW: Driver found guilty over elite cyclists crash
28 Jan 2009 5:07 PM
SYDNEY, Jan 28 AAP - A man who suddenly stopped his car just in front of a pack of elite cyclists causing them to crash has been found guilty of three charges in a Sydney court.
Hassan Bakr, 35, from Claymore in Sydney's south-west, was driving on Southern Cross Drive near Sydney Airport shortly after 6.30am (AEST) on May 8 last year when he says car trouble forced him to stop in front of a bunch of up to 60 cyclists.
Many cyclists fell and more than 20 - including professional cyclists Kate Nicholls and then-Olympic hopeful Ben Kersten - were injured when they ran into the back of his grey Ford Falcon.
The group allege more than $45,000 of damage was done to their bicycles and equipment.
In the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, Bakr admitted being the driver of that vehicle.
Defending himself, he argued the cyclists should not have been on the road without an escort, and that his hazard lights should have given them enough warning to avoid his car.
The unemployed security worker also said he sped off after being intimidated by the cyclists who came to his window complaining about his driving.
Magistrate Roger Clisdell found Bakr guilty of not keeping wholly within the lane, negligent driving and not supplying particulars after an accident.
Bakr was fined $1,200 plus court costs.
A fourth charge of cutting in front of a vehicle after overtaking was dropped.
Mr Clisdell denied the damages claim of $45,000.
