Moped rider who knocked down woman admits careless driving

Friday 16 June 2023

A 21-year-old moped rider who knocked a woman off her feet and into the air, before she landed face-first on the ground, has admitted causing serious injury by careless driving.

Adam Le Bailly was sentenced to 90 hours of community service and banned from the roads for a year for the offences, committed in the morning of 7 July last year.

The Magistrate’s Court was told that the victim had to spend two days in hospital and was signed off work for three weeks after being knocked down by Le Bailly.

The accident took place in Seaton Place at around 08:50. Advocate Katie Ridley, prosecuting, said Le Bailly was overtaking another car when he ran into the pedestrian.

She said: "She went into the air and landed face-first on the floor. She had a fractured right wrist and one of her teeth was knocked out. She suffered injuries to her nose, knees and let ankle."

Advocate Dionne Gilbert, defending, pointed out that Le Bailly had only been travelling at 12 to 13mph when the accident happened.

She added: "There has been an immediate guilty plea. Mr Le Bailly is very sorry, and is devastated by the extent of the injuries caused to the victim."

Magistrate Bridget Shaw told him: "There are not just physical injuries. They are emotional and mental."

She ordered him to retake the driving test after the year’s disqualification.