A MAN has avoided going to jail after hitting two cyclists in his pick-up truck, then driving off, leaving one with a broken back.

Friends Dean Johns and Brian Spence were injured when a truck, driven by Jamie Lagden, hit them in Colchester Road, Mersea, on March 29.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court was told the hit-and-run accident sparked a search of the island using a police helicopter, which failed to find 20-year-old Lagden.

Fiona Hardman, prosecuting, said he turned himself in the next day.

After talking to a friend and contacting a solicitor, he went to Colchester police station and made a full admission.

She said police were called to the accident scene at 7.42am and found two injured cyclists but no sign of the Mitsubishi L200 pickup, which belonged to Lagdon’s mother.

She said: “The cycles were destroyed and debris from the bikes lay across both carriageways. Both cyclists were taken to hospital. Mr Spence, was released later the same day with severe bruising and lacerations.”

Miss Hardman said the other rider, Mr Johns, suffered a broken back and a cracked pelvis, he added: “He was bedbound for six weeks and spent a further six weeks in a back brace. Mr Johns is still unable to work. You will appreciate the impact on both of their lives.”

Lagden’s lawyer, Laura Austin, said her client, who worked as a groundsman and enjoyed motocross, was sorry for causing the accident and for the effect on the victims’ lives.

She said: “The defendant states he simply didn’t see them. Essentially, he was concerned as to the trouble he was going to get in with his mother because it’s her vehicle. He certainly had no idea they were as injured as they were.”

At an earlier hearing, Lagden, of Langwood, West Mersea, admitted careless driving, failing to stop and failing to inform the police about the accident.

Chairman of the bench, Vincent Rayner, sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for a year and banned him from driving for 12 months.

Lagden was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community and pay £70 costs. Mr Rayner explained he was making no order for compensation, as a separate civil action was under way.

He added: “What I start by saying is nothing this court does today will ever satisfy the victims in this matter.”

After the hearing, Sgt Dave Cook, of Stanway road policing unit, said: “Leaving the scene of this collision was a very cold and callous act by Jamie Lagden.

“It was cowardly to flee the scene in his 4x4 vehicle and only hand himself in to police the following day.”