A DRIVER who collided with a motorcyclist and failed to stop or report the accident has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Richard Themistocleous, 35, of Silverdale Avenue, Riddlesden, was charged with careless driving, failing to stop and failing to report after the accident, on June 21, on the B6265 at Riddlesden, at its junction with the A650 Aire Valley Road.

Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court heard yesterday that Themistocleous drove away after the motorcyclist landed on his bonnet and smashed the windscreen. The rider suffered shock and lower back pain.

Themistocleous, a service engineer, was driving a company Vauxhall Astra estate when the accident happened.

District Judge Susan Bouch said the defendant then reported the vehicle stolen to police.

Themistocleous told a probation officer he had no memory of the accident and was devastated by what had happened.

Mrs Bouch sentenced him to ten weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, with 150 hours unpaid community work, and endorsed his licence with ten penalty points.