A professional driver has been found guilty of causing the death of a cyclist after he hit him from behind with his Jeep. The victim was thrown into the air and died at the scene having suffered a serious head injury.

Raymond Treharne, 73, killed David Jones when his Grand Cherokee collided with his bike on the A48 Crack Hill in Bridgend at around 5.50am on May 27, 2020. Mr Jones hit the ground, was not moving and was covered in blood as his bike went under the vehicle.

A trial at Cardiff Crown Court heard there was no evidence Treharne had applied his brakes or swerved prior to the collision. Witnesses described the defendant as "in shock" and told people "I hit him.... he was standing on the bike, he fell into the road." But forensic collision investigators concluded Mr Jones was in an upright position and fixed to his bike's at the moment of the crash, rather than falling from a static position.

Treharne, of Abbey Road, Kenfig Hill, Bridgend, was found guilty by a jury of causing death by careless driving. He was emotionless as the verdict was delivered in court.

Speaking at the trial, prosecutor James Wilson said: "The prosecution case against the defendant, is that he failed to properly observe the road ahead.. If he had, he would have seen Mr Jones and would have been able to avoid the collision, either by braking or swerving."

Another motorist Richard Mortimore was driving in the opposite carriageway and was level with Treharne's Jeep when the collision took place. He looked in his rear-view mirror and saw Mr Jones being thrown up into the air and above the Jeep. After pulling over, Mr Mortimore saw Mr Jones lying on his front, he wasn't moving and there blood coming from his head. The victim's bike, helmet and glasses were scattered on the road.

Other motorists stopped to help Mr Jones until paramedics arrived just after 6am, but it was clear he was badly injured. A defibrillator was applied but showed no pulse and Mr Jones was declared dead at 6.21am. A cause of death was later given as blunt head injury and distraction injury of the neck.

The police attended at Treharne tested negative for alcohol and drugs and his eyesight was fine. He was arrested and interviewed by police, and claimed Mr Jones had "fallen into his path". He said: "Well when I seen on the road he was partly on the curb, he had the bike between his legs. I saw him fall into my path but it was too late, it's as simple as that." The defendant also claims Mr Jones was holding a mobile phone in one hand.

A report by forensic collision investigator PC Carlo Vaquerizo concluded Mr Jones would have been visible to Mr Jones for 30 seconds but by the time he did see him it was too late. He added there was no evidence of braking before the collision, and the collision was "entirely avoidable". Mr Wilson said Treharne had fallen below the standards of a "competent and careful driver".

Judge Catherine Richards adjourned sentencing until March 2, in order for a pre sentence report to be prepared. She remanded Treharne on bail prior to his next court date.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/richard-treharne-cardiff-crown-court-26142941