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Michael Heseltine fined £5,000 for knocking cyclist off his bike Michael Heseltine fined £5,000 for knocking cyclist off his bike
(35 minutes later)
Michael Heseltine has been fined £5,000 after he admitted knocking a cyclist off his bike.Michael Heseltine has been fined £5,000 after he admitted knocking a cyclist off his bike.
The former deputy prime minister pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving at Northampton magistrates court on Thursday.The former deputy prime minister pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving at Northampton magistrates court on Thursday.
Lord Heseltine, 83, pulledout of a road into the path of the cyclist on the B4525 near Thenford in Northamptonshire while driving his green Jaguar on 19 June last year. Lord Heseltine, 83, pulled out of a road and into the path of the cyclist on the B4525 near Thenford in Northamptonshire while driving his green Jaguar on 19 June last year.
The cyclist was left with multiple injuries from the crash, including a broken arm, which was fractured in four places, and shattered knees that required plates and pins.The cyclist was left with multiple injuries from the crash, including a broken arm, which was fractured in four places, and shattered knees that required plates and pins.
Heseltine was given five penalty points and ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge and £85 costs.Heseltine was given five penalty points and ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
In a statement after the hearing he said he was “unreservedly” sorry to the cyclist and that his concern throughout had been for the injured man’s well-being. In a statement after the hearing he said he was “unreservedly” sorry to the cyclist and that his concern throughout had been for the injured man’s wellbeing.
It is understood Heseltine’s view had been obscured by an overgrown hedge on a bend, just before the collision near his home. He had estimated the rider’s speed coming down the hill to have been nearly 30mph, but accepted in any case that he should have factored in the obstructed view when pulling out.It is understood Heseltine’s view had been obscured by an overgrown hedge on a bend, just before the collision near his home. He had estimated the rider’s speed coming down the hill to have been nearly 30mph, but accepted in any case that he should have factored in the obstructed view when pulling out.
He stopped at the scene, going to the injured man’s aid and then calling the emergency services – facts which were noted by the judge when sentencing. He stopped at the scene, going to the injured man’s aid and then called the emergency services – facts which were noted by the judge when sentencing.
The former MP for Henley challenged the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher for the Conservative leadership in 1990, helping trigger her resignation.The former MP for Henley challenged the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher for the Conservative leadership in 1990, helping trigger her resignation.
Heseltine went on to serve in John Major’s cabinet.Heseltine went on to serve in John Major’s cabinet.
He stood down from his parliamentary seat at the 2001 general election and was made a life peer later that year.He stood down from his parliamentary seat at the 2001 general election and was made a life peer later that year.
In November, Heseltine told Tatler magazine that he once tackled his mother’s alsatian, Kim, when it started biting him.In November, Heseltine told Tatler magazine that he once tackled his mother’s alsatian, Kim, when it started biting him.
He pulled the dog’s collar tight, causing the animal to go “limp”, but later stressed that he had not killed the dog, saying it had to be put down because it was dangerous.He pulled the dog’s collar tight, causing the animal to go “limp”, but later stressed that he had not killed the dog, saying it had to be put down because it was dangerous.