Man drove 65 miles to deliberately run down cyclist as he rode to work

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A man has been jailed after he drove 65 miles to deliberately run down a cyclist as he rode to work.

Mark Whittaker, of no fixed abode, travelled from Portsmouth to Reading to attack his victim Darren Fordred.

Whittaker waited for Mr Fordred to cycle past on his way to work, then deliberately mounted the pavement and hit the cyclist at more than 30mph.

The impact lifted the rider onto the windscreen and he was launched through metal railings when Whittaker’s vehicle hit them.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Peter Cave, from Thames Valley Police, said: “Whittaker’s actions that evening will have a life-long impact on Mr Fordred.

“This was a horrific and totally unnecessary attack in which Whittaker callously and deliberately used his vehicle as a weapon.”

Whittaker attacked Mr Fordred because he wrongly believed he was responsible for the loss of access to his family, the judge in the case said.

The 46-year-old has been jailed for 21 years after he was found guilty of attempted murder during a trial at Reading Crown Court on Monday (March 29).

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/man-drove-65-miles-deliberately-run-cyclist-rode-work-421793#P8ShLdYOTS6HoqKd.99

[madaboutharry]

1. It isn't clear how the victim and the perpetrator

are connected.

[jberryhill]

2. Well, it's Cycling Weekly

One of their go-to newsbeats is "cyclist hit by..." whatever. Cars, trucks, kangaroos, you name it. What is of editorial interest is that the guy hatched a murder plot which depended on the fact that the victim was a cyclist.

I mean, it could be "Guy travels 65 miles to shoot someone" but then it wouldn't be a news item in Cycling Weekly.

Oh, and here's that kangaroo: