A MAN from Denbigh who fled the scene after he struck a cyclist while driving without a licence in Prestatyn has been jailed.

Nathan Brown, 26, of Bridge Street, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (April 18).

He had previously admitted the following charges:

  • Causing serious injury by careless/inconsiderate driving.
  • Failing to stop after a road accident.
  • Failing to report a road accident.
  • Aggravated vehicle taking.
  • Driving without a licence.
  • Driving without third party insurance.

The victim of the incident, Phillip Pike, who died in February, was hit by a vehicle driven by Brown on Victoria Road West at about 10.30pm on May 26, 2023.

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Prosecuting, Anna Pope told the court that Mr Pike was riding an electric bike when he was struck by the vehicle, which was owned by Brown’s girlfriend.

Mr Pike had heard “high revving” from behind him by Brown, whose driving licence had been revoked after he had accrued 12 penalty points.

As the car hit Mr Pike, he landed on the vehicle’s bonnet before sliding off it, while the bike was momentarily trapped underneath the Mini, causing sparks to ignite.

But Brown did not stop following the crash and drove away, while Mr Pike was taken to hospital, and was not discharged until June 6.

His injuries included fractures to his ribs, spleen, and collarbone.

Police located the Mini two days later, and when Brown was spotted leaving a pub nearby, he told officers he had hit an animal.

In a statement, dated last December, Mr Pike wrote: “This incident has affected me greatly.

“I suffer from diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and this incident has made me feel so vulnerable.”

Ruth Green, Mr Pike’s partner of 13 years, attended today’s sentencing.

She added in her own statement: “Phillip was my world, and now he’s gone. I am completely and utterly lost and alone.”

Brown, who had six previous convictions for 16 offences, was also subject to a suspended custodial sentence when the crash took place.

Defending him, Richard Edwards said his client maintain he did not initially realise he had struck Mr Pike, and “struggles to explain how this incident occurred,” but is “truly remorseful”.

He has now been clean from drugs for at least six months and no longer drinks alcohol to excess, Mr Edwards added.

Brown is “trying to put his past life behind him,” he said.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry disqualified Brown from driving for four years; he must also then pass an extended re-test before being allowed back on the roads.

Judge Parry told Brown that he had “no regard for the roads”.

He said: “There was no reason for that (crash) other than (that) you didn’t exercise the care that every motorist owes, at all times, to other road users.

“What happened afterwards was little short of disgraceful.

“I do not accept that you were not aware that you had collided with your victim. He could have been killed there and then.

“This sentence is not intended to, nor can it, reflect what has transpired since this incident.”

Brown will also pay a £187 statutory surcharge upon his release from prison.