In the early 1960s I was a uniformed police constable in South Wales when I was sent to the scene of a collision between a bicycle and a pedestrian.
Two young men were riding on one pedal cycle down a steep footpath between two roads.
Ahead of them was a lady who was walking to work and was due to retire at the end of the week.
Without warning, and at some speed, the cyclists struck the woman from behind.
She suffered head injuries and was unconscious for two days. In due course she lost her sense of smell and taste and also suffered partial loss of hearing.
I felt that a charge of riding two on a bike and on a footpath did not reflect the seriousness of the matter and after due research summoned the cycle rider (who had expressed no remorse or apology whatsoever) with an offence of wanton, reckless or furious riding of a carriage (cycle).
His callous disregard for other people’s lives and safety was noted by magistrates and he was remanded.
His passenger was summoned for aiding and abetting and he was fined.
I no longer have my law books but if memory serves me well, the offence was contrary to Section 35 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 and is still enforceable today.
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