Derbyshire farmer reversed into cyclist after right of way stand-off on narrow country road

Steven Gammon reversed into the cyclist following a stand-off outside a pub where there was not enough space for them both to get through, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Wednesday, September 16.

The incident happened outside the Peak House pub in Little Longstone, near Bakewell, on August 4 last year, said Robert Carr, prosecuting.

He said that the cyclist had been heading down a hill on a narrow road, made narrower by a row of parked cars outside the pub.

The cyclist went to pass the cars when he noticed Gammon’s Vauxhall Astra travelling in the opposite direction towards him, Mr Carr said.

He then pulled his bike into the centre of the available carriageway and stopped, causing Gammon to break and come to a halt.

As he passed, the cyclist made a remark to Gammon and clipped his vehicle and, when he was at the rear of the car, Gammon had then reversed “at speed”, knocking him to the ground.

Gammon had then driven away at speed, with the cyclist’s girlfriend, who was out with him, calling for him to stop.

The cyclist was left with minor injuries and the bike was badly damaged.

“It had some sentimental value to him because he had used the cycle to ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats for charity,” Mr Carr added.

The 40-year-old, of Moor Road, Great Longstone, Bakewell, admitted dangerous driving when he appeared before the court.

Mitigating, David Gittins said that Gammon faced losing his farm as a result of the incident.

He said that due to the nature of farming and the cost of land, Gammon owned strips of farming land all over the place and had to travel between sites to care for his 96 sheep.

“He is a tenant farmer and his wife cleans other properties in the afternoons. If you know the area you will know that it is beautiful, but it is also very remote,” he told the court.

“He has two young children and, while they can travel to school on the bus, it becomes an issue with after-school clubs and other activities.

“They managed to take out a mortgage to purchase their own land but they can take years, and even generations to pay off.

“His strips of land have no water, so he has to take barrels to his sheep and travel from A to B to C to care for them. He has no other choice but to use public roads to travel between sites.

“When he started 10 years ago he had eight sheep and, pre-covid, this was going to be the year where he hoped to turn a profit. He is very concerned about what will happen to his family and his farm.”

Magistrates gave Gammon a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and also issued an 18-month driving ban. He must also pass an extended driving test before he gets his licence back.

Additionally, he must also pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

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