A VAN driver apologised for knocking a cyclist off his bike and said he hadn’t seen him.

But when the bike rider started taking pictures of Danny Kathrada and the registration plate on his van, he changed his tune and denied responsibility before driving away.

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Kathrada, 25, of Hacking Street, Darwen, was convicted in his absence of driving without due care and attention. He was fined £200 with £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge and his licence endorsed with four penalty points.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Gary Moss cycled to work and back every day and was on Duckworth Street in Darwen on his way home when the van came out of Union Street and hit his rear wheel.

“The driver got out and said he was sorry but he hadn’t seen the cyclist,” said Miss Akhtar. “His behaviour changed when the cyclist got his phone out and started taking photographs.

He said it was the cyclist’s fault because he had been on the wrong side of the road and then drove off.”