'Out of control' driver handed three-year sentence for driving into cyclist

The driver of an Audi Q7 that was driven into a cyclist and ended up in the front of a beauty salon has been handed a three year custodial sentence and banned from driving for four years by Kingston Crown Court.

During the sentencing of 31-year-old Natalie Pyne, Judge Susan Tapping branded the motorist "out of control", after the court proved that she drove at cyclist Simon Edgely after an altercation.

Mr Edgely - who has autism - escaped with only minor physical injuries, although his bike was severely damaged by the vehicle. The incident also caused £25,000 damage to the salon.

Judge Tapping said: “I have given considerable consideration to your circumstances. You deliberately used your car as a weapon.

“You were out of control.”

According to the Surrey Comet, Mr Edgely has not been able to return to cycling properly as a result of the mental anguish caused by road rage incident.

“Since the accident I haven’t been able to go out. I’ve managed for a while [to cycle], until I met three motor vehicles at a roundabout and haven’t since. I don’t know if I ever will again,” said Mr Edgely.

Pyne's defence had centred on a claim that her vehicle had malfunctioned and sped off beyond her control. This was countered by PC Peter Taylor who had been unable to find fault with the Audi 4x4.

The mother of six already had form for driving offences, including a conviction for dangerous driving after being clocked at over 70mph, on the wrong side of the road and under the influence of alcohol in January 2009.