A cyclist who left a woman with a fractured skull after smashing into her while riding on the wrong side of the road has received an "insulting" fine of just £500.
Mother-of-three Paola Dos Santos, 53, collided with cyclist Matthew Thornley, 45, in Regent's Park after he pulled out to overtake a car while riding with a group of Club Peloton riders in May 2024.
Ms Dos Santos was not aware that the 45-year-old was steaming towards her on the wrong side of the road as she was crossing to a pedestrian island.
The mother suffered musculoskeletal injuries along with a series of fractures to her cheekbone, jawbone and eye socket after being knocked out cold by the cyclist.
Ms Dos Santos was not aware that the 45-year-old was steaming towards her on the wrong side of the road as she was crossing to a pedestrian island
| PAMr Thornley was scheduled to go on trial this week after denying the charge of riding without due care and attention, but charged his plea to guilty at Westminster magistrates' court earlier this week without Ms Dos Santos' knowledge.
The architecture company director was handed down a fine of just £500 and ordered to pay £2500 to the victim in compensation.
The victim described the punishment as “paltry and insulting” and said the proceedings left her feeling “frustrated and disappointed” after not being informed of the plea change or given the chance to give a witness statement.
Ms Dos Santos told The Telegraph: “What annoys me is that the judge has sentenced this cyclist without any input from me about how this collision has affected me.
Mr Thornley was scheduled to go on trial this week after denying the charge of riding without due care and attention, but charged his plea to guilty at Westminster magistrates
| PA"The cyclist was on the wrong side of the road.
"If a motorist was driving on the wrong side of the road and caused these injuries he or she would have been punished far more severely.
“I have little doubt his bike cost way more than the £500 fine he has received for the offence.
“But, the fact this man is a cyclist without insurance means he has got away with it.
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The architecture company director was handed down a fine of just £500
| PA"Solicitors are not prepared to fight such cases for victims because cyclists do not have insurance.
“Many nerves in my face are totally messed up and some muscles permanently damaged.
"I feel that justice has not been done, let alone be seen to be done, and I seem not to matter in this court process.”
A spokesman for Club Peloton, the group Mr Thornley was riding with, said: “We can confirm Matt is a member of the community and was participating in a member-led ride in Regent’s Park on May 1 2024.
"These rides are informal, open to members and organised by volunteers within our community.
"Following the incident, we reviewed our member communications and reinforced guidance around safe and respectful riding and expect all members to uphold the highest standards of conduct.”
A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “We are striving to improve the experience of victims as it is vital for them to achieve justice in their cases.
“We recognise the criminal justice system did not reach expected standards on this occasion and, together with the police, we continue to look at ways to jointly enhance our victim communications.”