NSW: Security guard intimidated by cyclists, court told
By Katelyn John28 Jan 2009 7:19 PM
SYDNEY, Jan 28 AAP - An unemployed security worker convicted over a collision with a pack of elite cyclists says he sped away from the scene because he was scared and intimidated, a Sydney court has heard.
Hassan Bakr, 35, from Claymore, in Sydney's south-west, pushed and shoved his way down the steps of Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after Magistrate Roger Clisdell found him guilty of three charges relating to the crash involving a group of up to 60 cyclists.
The cyclists were riding at about 45km/h along Southern Cross Drive near Sydney airport on May 8 last year when Bakr's Ford Falcon pulled in front of them and stopped.
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 car.
"I heard a lot of shouting and I saw the car right in front of me, and I fell into other riders that had crashed," said Ms Nicholls, who damaged her right wrist and shoulder.
"I just saw bodies."
The cyclists allege more than $45,000 of damage was done to their bicycles and equipment.
Defending himself in court on Wednesday, Bakr admitted he was the driver involved but said his car had backfired, forcing him to stop.
He argued the cyclists should never have been on the road without an escort and that his hazard lights should have given them enough warning to avoid his car.
He also said he sped off because he was scared of the cyclists who approached his car after the crash.
"I was a bit scared, a bit intimidated and so ... I just left," he said in the witness box.
Michelle Ferris, who was near the front of the pack when the car swerved into their lane, told the court she had no way of avoiding it.
"I looked up and I saw a car and all of a sudden ... I crashed into the boot and into the back window with my face," said Ms Ferris, who suffered a cracked rib and cuts and bruises in the crash.
Kevin Nicholls, who was ahead of his daughter and managed to avoid the crash, told the court Bakr treated the incident as a joke.
"I did not see a person who was angry and enraged, I saw a guy who thought it was a bit of a joke," he told the court.
Outside the court, cyclist Shane Howley said Bakr was "an idiot".
"It was absolutely deliberate," he told reporters.
Ms Clisdell found Bakr guilty of not keeping wholly within the lane, negligent driving and not supplying particulars after an accident.
He 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.
