Cyclist 'thought I was going to die' in Gwent hit and run

Joshua Morrill, 33, from Gladstone Street, Crosskeys, was driving along Nine Mile Point Road at around 11.15pm on June 11, 2022 when he mounted the curb and drove into Leon Kousouros who was cycling on the pavement in the opposite direction.

Morrill was given a 16 month suspended sentence at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday December 12. He has also been disqualified from driving for two and a half years. 

Morrill, father to an 18-year-old, did not stop after causing the accident, leaving Mr Kousouros injured on the side of the road.

Mr Kousouros was wearing a high visibility clothing and had bike lights.

Morrill admitted to a police officer the next day that he had been drinking at a friend's barbeque before driving home.

On the way he lost control of his Seat Leon, mounting the curb and collided with Mr Kousouros. 

Pamela Kaiga, prosecuting, told the court: "Afterwards he drove off leaving the scene. Residents heard a loud bang and screams."

Morrill drove home, hid his car and then the next day went to Ystrad Mynach police station to had himself in. 

Mr Kousouros was rushed to hospital and suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured ankle. He had to be on medication, such as painkillers and antibiotics.

The ankle fracture required Mr Kousouros to use a boot and zimmer frame for 8 weeks and it took four to five months before he was able to walk without any pain. 

Mr Kousouros said in a witness statement that he has lost confidence, saying: "It left me feeling scared to do everyday things like walking or cycling along the pavement."

Mr Kousouros described suffering from flashbacks for four to five months and said that at the time of the accident: "I thought I was going to die".

Defending, Michael Williams, said Morrill was genuinely remorseful and showed a lot of empathy to his victim. And that despite driving away, potentially being over the safe driving alcohol limit, he should not be given jail time. 

Honour Judge Egan said there would be no way to prove that Morrill was over the safe drinking limit to drive because "he drove off" on the night of the accident and he was not tested until the next day, when he handed himself in.

However, the judge said: "It seems to me that was the reason he mounted the curb."

The judge when passing his sentence said the victim was in a vulnerable position as a cyclist but due to Morrill's previous good character, admission of guilty and genuine remorse, he would not get any jail time.

Morrill instead was told he would have a 16 month sentence suspended for 21 months, and that he mist complete 250 hours of unpaid work. 

Morrill has also been disqualified from driving for 2 and half years and must do a retest. He mist also pay £150 and a surcharge.