Farmer knocked over and killed cyclist, aged 92

A FARMER towing a trailer filled with wool knocked over and killed a 92-year-old cyclist on a country road, a court has heard.

- ROBERT HARRIES

Malcolm Perry, 72, was driving on an unnamed road known locally as Mountain Road near Pontypridd on the morning of September 21, 2023.

He was driving along the road in the same direction as John Symmonds, from Graigwen in Pontypridd, who was out on his morning bike ride.

At a certain point in the road, Perry decided to overtake the elderly cyclist and collided with him, knocking him to the floor.

Perry, of Llysnant Farm, Ynysybwl, stopped his vehicle and called 999, and Mr Symmonds was taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

He was found to have sustained traumatic injuries including a fracture to his skull and bleeding on his brain. He died more than two weeks later, on October 6, 2023.

Having previously pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving, Perry appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced.