[A] MAN has been unanimously acquitted of allegedly “punching” a cyclist who collided with a van.
Push bike rider Damien Tinkler suffered terrible facial wounds which required stitches and surgery after careering through the back window of a van on January 19.
Mr Tinkler alleged that he had been “punched”, immediately before the collision, by Raymond Kyle Smith.
However, 21-year-old Mr Smith vehemently denied the allegation. He went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court earlier this week having pleaded not guilty to an unlawful wounding charge.
Giving evidence, Mr Smith claimed he and two other males jumped from a bush to “freak out” Mr Tinkler. As the cyclist looked back to see who was responsible, he lost control and the collision occurred.
“I never hit him. I never even raised my hand to him,” Mr Smith, of Workington, told jurors. “He must have really hurt himself. We didn’t want that to happen. I am sorry for that.”
After hearing all evidence, a jury of seven men and five women found him unanimously not guilty of the allegation. On receiving the verdict, Judge Tony Lancaster responded: “Mr Smith, you are discharged.”
