The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Video: Bristol bus driver uses "vehicle as weapon"

Shocking video shows bus driver swerving to knock cyclist off his bike.

By Samira Shackle Published 17 February 2012 11:47

A bus driver who deliberately knocked a cyclist off his bike in Bristol has been jailed for 17 months. Gavin Hill, 29, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to dangerous driving and causing grevious bodily harm.

The court heard that Hill had driven too close to Philip Mead, 43, off his bike near St James Barton roundabout in Bristol. As the bus stopped, Mead parked his bike against the front of the bus and had a heated argument with Hill. As Mead cycled off, the bus driver tried to overtake him, before swerving to the left to knock the cyclist off the road. The incident left him with a broken leg and fractured wrist and crushed his bike.

Judge Mark Horton said that the collision was "not an accident".

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9 comments

Fri, 2012-02-17 12:37 — Stu (not verified)

Attempted murder

Fri, 2012-02-17 12:39 — Awake!

occasionally I back Boris for Mayor because he alklowed scooter riders in bus lanes. Ken didn't saying it was dangerous. Boris, who actually rides around London, knew this was rubbish.
So after 18 years of having ti ride dangerously close to vehicles, i know am much safer than before- the leftie always knows better, based on a theory,but he was wrong. And this video is an underlines why. I see this anger every day in a super congested city, so any measures that reduce congestion make sense.
17 months, maybe the cyckist was sole bread winer of a family of 5, so maybe it should be 5 bloody years...

Fri, 2012-02-17 13:02 — Glenn Williams (not verified)

17 months!? 17 months!! That'll discourage drivers from trying to kill people using their vehicles. This sentence should be reviewed.

Tue, 2012-02-21 13:08 — Mark (not verified)

The cyclist arguing with the bus driver is pointless, it doesn't benifit fit you in any way and can cause a situation but that doesn't warrent the responce from the bus driver. personally i believe the bus driver should have been charged with attemped murder. prison these days is little deterant to anyone because it's a place where you have no responcibilaty and everything is given to you (3 meals a day, access to a gym, cable TV and games consols!).

Fri, 2012-02-17 13:53 — jankaas (not verified)

Gavin is a very very lucky boy. at the very least he should have his licence permanently revoked. scum.

Fri, 2012-02-17 13:57 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

Because Ken Livingstone talks a load of crap that proves that proves the supremacy of the right? Bit of a quantum leap in reasoning.

Fri, 2012-02-17 16:36 — Benito Aramando (not verified)

@Awake!

I think Boris was right on that one, but cycling deaths in London have significantly risen under his mayorship, did you know that?

Fri, 2012-02-17 17:34 — Livers (not verified)

@Benito

Would genuinely like to see that data. Do you have a ref?

As cycling is much more popular, is that an increase as a percentage of journeys or an absolute number of fatalities?

Either way, its not good news.

Fri, 2012-02-17 19:02 — payday (not verified)

was cyclist tested for driving under the influence/drugs etc.shows how stupid he was for not also getting out theway.he was intimidating and deserved what he got.hope lessons were learnt by both parties.