Driver who hit cyclist while distracted by mobile phone jailed

A driver who knocked over a cyclist while using his mobile phone has been jailed for more than two years.

Geraint Coombes, of Bryn Rhedyn, Mornington Meadows, Caerphilly town, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court, where he was given a 27-month jail sentence.

Coombes, 32, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, as well as perverting the course of justice.

The incident happened on the A469 near Llanbradach on August 3, 2019.

The crash left cyclist Edward Taylor with a broken wrist, elbow, ribs and coccyx (tailbone), and had to spend 11 days in hospital.

The court heard that Coombes, a former soldier, became distracted when he was changing the song on his phone before hitting Mr Taylor.

He then threw his phone into a bush and carried on driving, but returned to the scene and tried to blame Mr Taylor for the crash.

Coombes initially told police officers he had left his phone at home, before admitting he had been on his phone at time of the incident.

The court also heard Mr Taylor was cycling along a clear section of the road and wearing high-visibility clothes when he was struck.

The injuries meant Mr Taylor had difficulties caring for his terminally-ill wife, who died in December 2019.

Senior Investigating Officer, PS Christine James of Gwent Police, said: “The actions of Coombes that day demonstrate complete disregard for the law. Not only was he using his mobile phone while driving, he also tried to mislead officers when describing what had happened.

“The injuries for the cyclist involved were serious and had far-reaching consequences, including affecting the care he was able to provide his wife who was terminally ill at the time of the collision.

“I welcome the sentence given, and hope that it goes some way to provide a little comfort to the victim and his family.”