(Image: Newsquest)
A motorcyclist was left in hospital for weeks due to injuries suffered in a crash caused by a driver "trying to save himself 30 seconds", a court heard.
An eyewitness said the rider was "thrown from’’ the motorcycle when he was hit by Alec Newman driving his Mazda car "really fast’’ in Selby.
Newman’s car collided with the motorcyclist as he pulled away from traffic lights and turned right at the junction of Gowthorpe, Scott Road and Brook Street, prosecutor Benjamin Bradford said.
The Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, said Newman "jumped the gun" when he cut across a lane into the path of the motorbike at about 4.40pm on November 28, 2025.
The junction of Gowthorpe, Scott Road and Brook Street in Selby, where the crash happened (Image: Google)
Newman, 68, of The Ruddings, Selby, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving.
Mr Bradford said the motorcyclist suffered "multiple shatters" to his right ankle and has been left with pins in his ankle.
The crash happened as the victim was travelling home from work as a lorry driver on his 125cc motorbike, Mr Bradford said.
He said the victim has been unable to work as a lorry driver since the crash and now struggles with constant ankle pain.
The victim is also no longer able to accompany his children to extra-curricular activities, Mr Bradford said.
In a statement read in York Crown Court, the victim said the "other driver trying to save himself 30 seconds" resulted in him being hospitalised for three weeks.
Newman phoned an ambulance at the scene and has suffered "sleepless nights" since the crash, the court heard.
The hearing was told Newman "understands the consequences of his lapse in concentration’’ and "could not believe" that "he caused that harm".
Newman has also since acquired a tricycle and learned the "dangers motorists can be’’ to cyclists, the judge said.
Driver 'simply didn't see' motorcyclist before crash, court told
For Newman, Paul Lewis said he completed a "foolish manoeuvre" when he hit the motorcyclist.
Mr Lewis said Newman had no previous convictions, was formerly of "impeccable character" and held an "excellent" driving licence.
Newman "simply didn’t see the motorist", Mr Lewis said, adding that the motorcyclist was next to the headlight of a car which restricted Newman’s vision of the rider.
The court heard Newman has "very limited" kidney functions and is on dialysis.
Newman also has other health conditions which mean he would be unable to wear an electronic ankle tag, Mr Lewis said.
He added that Newman is a pensioner who receives a monthly payment of £1,200 and is left with £100 after bills, meaning he would be unable to pay substantial costs.
Judge Morris said it was "not a straightforward sentencing matter", as Newman’s poor health meant he was unable to complete community service.
He added that the Probation Service found Newman did not need rehabilitation.
The judge also said the seriousness of the offence meant the maximum jail sentence he could introduce would be lower than one year meaning it must be suspended. This is due to a new law that tells judges sentences of 12 months or less must be suspended.
Judge Morris said he was left with little option but to hand Newman a one-year conditional discharge and order him to pay £100 prosecution costs.
The judge also banned Newman from driving for 12 months and said Newman must take an extended driving test before he can return to the roads.