A LEARNER motorcyclist suffered a broken collar bone when he was catapulted over the bonnet of a car and landed on the road.

Burnley magistrates heard how Michael Reilly, 21, caused £1,700 damage to the car he smashed into after turning into its path.

His solicitor told the court Reilly had lost his job, his £200 bike, and had been housebound for six weeks after the crash. John Rusius asked: "How much more do you want to punish him?"

Reilly, of Belgrave Street, Nelson, was fined a total of £200, with £35 costs, and banned from driving for six months, after admitting driving without due care and attention, without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Reilly, on a trials bike, appeared suddenly like a "yellow blur," and hit a car from the left hand side. He shot over the handle bars, crashed into the car's windscreen and bounced off on to the road.

He caused £1,700 damage to the car and the driver said she had no chance of avoiding him.

Mr Rusius said the defendant had been immobile after the smash and still had problems after suffering a broken collar bone and may face a claim for damages to the car.

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