A MOTORIST was believed to be driving at about 10mph when he hit and killed a cyclist, a court heard Bernard Parkes, aged 64, suffered a serious head injury and died hours after his bike was struck by Lee Kenny’s Peugeot 307, near to Bury College on March 23 last year.

Bolton Crown Court was told there was no damage to Mr Parkes’ bike or Kenny’s car, but the victim was not wearing a helmet.

Mr Parkes had been shopping and had bags hanging on his handle bars when the crash happened at 7.30am while he cycled back to his home in Radcliffe Road, Bury.

Kenny, aged 36, was on the way to work in Crewe from his home in Rochdale Old Road, Bury, when he pulled out on the roundabout at Market Street’s junction with Wellington Road.

Peter Barr, prosecuting, told Judge Timothy Clayson the crash was a “glancing blow at a low speed”, thought to be about 10mph. There were no eyewitnesses.

Mr Barr said: “Lee Kenny said he slowed as he came to the junction. He sees a car going from Market Street to Market Street north. He doesn’t see the cycle.

“A police officer has concluded there was a collision between the car and bike. It’s a glancing blow at a low speed. Mr Parkes was knocked from his cycle. He strikes his head when he lands on the carriageway.”

Kenny, who had no previous convictions, helped at the scene and had been struck with remorse for his victim’s family.

Mark Friend, defending, said: “Mr Kenny is a thoroughly decent man who has contributed to both his local and wider community. His day began with an ordinary journey to work and, in those hours, his life changed in a second.”

He added: “He realises nothing he can say could sway the grief for which he is truly sorry. His wish to me was to indicate his utter remorse for what happened.”

Kenny pleaded guilty to death by careless driving.

Judge Clayson sentenced him to serve a 12-month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months, but will not have to do a retest before driving again.

The judge said: “No sentence the court can impose can replace a loved one or reduce the grief experienced by close relatives.”

Mr Parkes leaves behind his two brothers, David and Malcolm, and his sister, Joyce.