"Enraged" driver who knocked pensioner off bike jailed

Craig McComb struck the back of an e-bike being ridden by Duncan Ronaldson in 2022

The cyclist sustained serious injuries and has been left suffering from PTSD
Author: Kieran BrandPublished 25th Oct 2024

A driver who knocked a pensioner off his bike on a busy road has been jailed for almost four years.

Craig McComb, 37, struck the back of an e-bike being ridden by Duncan Ronaldson on the A92 in Glenrothes in August 2022.

The 67-year-old sustained serious injuries including ligaments at his collarbone being severed and has been left suffering from PTSD.

McComb had earlier been convicted after a trial in Edinburgh of assaulting Mr Ronaldson to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well as to the danger of his life.

McComb, also of Glenrothes, will spend three years and eight months behind bars and has been banned from the road for a total of nine years and 10 months.

The judge stated: "You used your car as a weapon to assault Mr Ronaldson. The injuries which you have inflicted upon him are serious, severe and long lasting.”

Cyclist Mr Ronaldson had been out that morning for a bike ride when he became aware of McComb in his black Vauxhall Astra sounding his horn at him.

The victim ignored him, but McComb's car then "shot up" from behind and stopped in front of him forcing the pensioner to do an emergency stop.

Mr Ronaldson had to desperately avoid being hit at that stage.

He carried on cycling before eventually being struck.

Mr Ronaldson told prosecutor Dale Hughes: "The car rammed me from behind. His front bumper hit my wheel.

"My wheel was locked. It could not move and the car was pushing me along.

"I was thrown over the handlebars and ended up on the tarmac. I lay on the ground and counted to 10 before I decided to move."

Mr Ronaldson watched the car reverse with his bike still attached to the motor.

He added: "I thought he was going to flee the scene or he was getting ready to run over the top of me.

“I gritted my teeth - I was going to roll over on my side if he was going to drive towards me.”

McComb instead came storming up described as "very enraged".

The victim needed surgery in hospital and continues to be affected by his ordeal.

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