Driver admits he left Christopher Ashman to die near Kettering (19/05/10)

A man has admitted driving away from the scene of a crash which left a cyclist dead at the side of the road.

Grant Clayson, 36, of Church Way in Thorpe Malsor, appeared at Kettering Magistrates Court yesterday charged with causing the death of Christopher Ashman by driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop after the collision, on May 19 this year.

• UPDATE 30/9/11

A man who knocked down and killed a cyclist and then drove off has been found guilty of causing death by inconsiderate driving.

Grant Clayson, 37, of Church Way, Kettering, drank two pints of lager before getting behind the wheel of his Ford Mondeo and hitting Chris Ashman on a rural road in Thorpe Malsor last year.

After the impact, which smashed Mr Ashman’s bike to pieces and left him dying on the roadside, Clayson drove home where his partner called police.

At a trial at Northampton Crown Court yesterday, it took the jury just 30 minutes to return a verdict of guilty.

Afterwards, Mr Ashman’s widow, Judy, expressed sadness, happiness and relief following the decision.

She said: “I’m feeling everything right now.

“I’m just pleased the jury saw sense and made the right decision, he didn’t really have any excuse for what happened.

“This whole situation has brought a terrible strain on the family, but I think the verdict today will help.”

The jury was told Mr Ashman, 47, was riding his bike when he was hit and knocked to the ground by Clayson’s car at about 7.30pm on May 19.

Clayson had finished work and gone for two drinks at The Trading Post pub in Bignall Court, Kettering, before driving home.

Driving towards Thorpe Masor, he noticed a large number of dead flies on his window screen and applied the washer and wipers to clear them.

But as he turned on the wipers he claimed he was blinded by sunlight and, while driving at a speed of about 45mph, he felt a sudden impact.

He said: “All I heard was a bang, I then looked in my mirror and tried to get home, I panicked.”

An ambulance crew arrived at 7.40pm and Mr Ashman was pronounced dead at 7.45pm.

Prosecuting, Stuart Yeung, said when Clayson was struggling to see he should have slowed down and come to a stop.

Defending, Brendan Halligan, said it would be wrong to treat Clayson as a scapegoat for Mr Ashman’s death.

Judge Charles Wide QC is due to sentence Clayson at Northamptonshire Crown Court today.