A 44-YEAR-OLD man accused of hitting a cyclist in Chislehurst and driving away has been found not guilty of two charges.

William Hanlon suffered life-changing injuries after being hit by a car in Chislehurst Road, near Berryfield Close, on October 15 last year.

Alan Rock, 44, was arrested 11 days later but was cleared last Friday (June 28) of driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident.

However, Rock, of Perry Hill, Catford, was found guilty of failing to give information regarding driver’s identification as required.

The court heard how he had driven an E220 Mercedes earlier that day for Cannon Cars, a private hire company owned by his family.

Witness Keira Bridges saw a Mercedes being parked in Ravensworth Road, Mottingham, shortly after the accident and noticed the damage to the front. 

Prosecution lawyer Mair Williams told the court: "She (Ms Bridges) saw a man get out of the car who appeared to be shaking but she only saw him for a minute or so.

"She heard the next day about the accident and got in touch with police however she later failed to identify Mr Rock during an identity parade.

"The address in Ravenscroft Crescent, originally given as the address for Mr Rock, is only 0.3km from where the car was dumped in Ravensworth Road."

Defence lawyer Sean Longley said:  "Mr Rock was divorced from his wife in 2011 and so no longer lived at the marital home in Ravenscroft Crescent but with his parents in Perry Hill, Catford.

"This witness said in her statement she would recognise this man again but during the identity parade she didn’t."

Full time collision investigator PC Stephen Sayer said: "In my opinion the marks and indentation on the vehicle exactly match the damage to the bike. It is like a key fitting a lock."

But the chairman of Bromley magistrates told the court: "We do not believe the defendant has been sufficiently connected to the accident at that time."

Rock was ordered to pay a total of £470 which included a fine of £250, prosecution costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £20.

Six points were added to his licence, taking the total up to nine after he previously received three points for using a mobile phone while driving in 2011.

Mr Hanlon was released from hospital three months after the incident and now relies heavily on a mobility frame.

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