A man accused of assaulting a cyclist during a confrontation on a steep Lake District pass has been acquitted of the charge he denied.
James French, 36, went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court earlier this week.
Mr French had pleaded not guilty to one charge which alleged that he assaulted Lee Kermode, causing actual bodily harm.
The charge arose out of an incident on Hardknott Pass, on Saturday, May 15, 2021, when Mr Kermode was riding alone having travelled ahead of four friends.
When interviewed by police, Mr French said an allegation his vehicle initially clipped the cyclist while passing him was untrue. He also vehemently denied claims that he “punched” and “choked” Mr Kermode, as had been alleged, after getting out of his car.
Mr French, of St Helens, said the cyclist had initially punched the side of his car as he drove past. “He hit me first,” Mr French had said. “We had a scuffle where he hit me. I fell on his bike and he came at me again and then we just had a fight. Then I just tried to subdue him so he would calm down.”
The two men had contacted police, separately, in the aftermath.
After hearing all evidence in the case and deliberating for less than an hour, jurors found Mr French not guilty today (thurs) of the assault allegation.
