Speedwell man who rammed car into cyclist over ?30 debt is jailed
A banned driver from Speedwell[1] chasing a £30 loan rammed his car into a cyclist and crushed him against bollards. Ryan Basseng, who has learning difficulties, was trying to get the money back from Richard Crook, Bristol Crown Court heard.
When Basseng saw him cycling on a lane in Bristol he accelerated the Suzuki Swift and drove into the back of him – shouting: “Well, you had it f-ing coming!” The court[2] was told Mr Crook was pushed into bollards and sustained a broken hip and collarbone.
Dad-of-two Basseng, 26, of Priory Way, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving on April 4. Judge Euan Ambrose jailed him for three years and banned him from driving for four years and three months, pending an extended driving test.
Kenneth Bell, prosecuting, said Mr Crook was cycling between Forest Road and Tredegar Road, as he did regularly. The day before the incident Basseng had stopped his car near him and asked him: “Where’s my money?”, referring to £30 he had loaned Mr Crook a month previously. The court heard Basseng added: “Sort my f-ing money out.”
The next day Mr Crook was cycling on the lane around 6pm when he spotted Basseng’s car. Mr Crook said Basseng seemed to speed up on seeing him.
Mr Bell told the court on Friday (July 28): “The vehicle pushed Mr Crook into bollards. Mr Crook and the bike were crushed against bollards.
“Mr Crook managed to get up hobble off. He was followed by a passenger in the vehicle who did nothing. Mr Basseng was shouting: “Well, you had it f-ing coming!”
The court heard Mr Crook sustained a broken hip and collarbone as well as facial injuries. He stated how he had been unable to walk properly afterwards and had suffered from nightmares.
Fiona Elder, defending, said her client was a young, vulnerable man whose difficulties arose from drug use. She said Basseng, who has mental health difficulties, had got himself free from drugs in custody.
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