Driver jailed for three years for ramming car into cyclist who confronted her for using mobile phone at the wheel
Victim hit a tree after he was knocked off his bike
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A motorist who ploughed into a cyclist with her car after he challenged her for using a mobile phone while driving has been jailed for three years.
Justine Henshaw-Bryan rammed a Ford Fiesta into Damien Doughty as he cycled in north London, after he confronted her for using a mobile phone at the wheel.
Mr Doughty was knocked off his bike and into a tree as he cycled in Stoke Newington on 10 February last year.
He was left in intensive care, suffering a punctured lung, broken hand and liver injuries
The 25-year-old driver, from Hackney, was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a trial at Wood Green Crown Court.
Sentencing, Judge Gregory Perrins told Henshaw-Bryan her actions could have killed the victim, and that she must have been aware of the risk her dangerous driving presented to him.
"This was a calculated attempt to run him over and use your car as a weapon," he said.
"It would have been obvious that to do so would have carried significant risk of injury (to the cyclist)."
He added: "Those who are unable to control their temper while driving and feel that cyclists are fair game must be dealt with severely."
Judge Perrins jailed Henshaw-Bryan, who is due to give birth in November, for three years, and handed her a four-a-half-year driving disqualification and six penalty points.
Mr Doughty said: “[I was] exceptionally scared. You can hear the engine revving really close to you.
“I remember the car rear ending me, kind of letting out a scream and realising what was happening.
“I crumbled into a heap on the floor, and I am in extreme amounts of pain.”