A chef cycling home from work in mist and fog on a January night last year was struck by a car and suffered devastating injuries.

This was stated at Caernarfon crown court when car driver Geoffrey Harvey, 57, of Clynnog Road, Caernarfon, was banned from the road for six months and fined £310.

He pleaded guilty to careless driving, the prosecution having dropped a charge of dangerous driving which caused serious injury.

It happened on the unlit A499 at Llanaelhaiarn and the victim was Harvey Lee Devonald, who suffered a bleed on the brain, breaks to his back and neck and other serious injuries. He had been treated in the trauma unit at Stoke on Trent hospital.

Nicolas Williams, prosecuting, said Mr Devonald had rear LED lights and reflectors on his bike although he was in dark clothing.

A police investigator concluded that in the conditions visibility would have been a factor and the rider’s dark clothing would mean he would be less visible.

In an impact statement Mr Devonald declared: “I consider myself to be a very lucky man to be alive.” He had been an active 40-year-old at the time, keen on surfing, and his recovery was long and painful.

Simon Mills, defending, said there had been “a momentary reduction in the standard of care required. He did not see the cyclist, we will never know exactly why.”

Other motorists had commented on how difficult it had been to spot the rider in the conditions.

“We do acknowledge how seriously injured was Mr Devonald,” said Mr Mills.

“The defendant apologises for the seriousness of Mr Devonald’s injuries.”

Harvey was in the hotel and hospitality trade employing up to 50 in summer but the business had been devastated by the pandemic. “He provided an incredibly valuable local service,” he added.

Judge Timothy Petts said that compensation could not be paid following a careless driving conviction but this would be up to insurers.

There had been significant spinal injuries requiring surgery from which the victim was still recovering.