A MAN who drove into the back of a motorcyclist and caused him serious injuries has lost his licence.

Leigh Mason, of Llwyn Ynn in Tal Y Bont, Barmouth, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.

The 33-year-old admitted that on March 5 last year at Penyffordd in Flintshire, he caused serious injury to a man named Jonas Gragnani by careless driving.

Diane Williams, prosecuting, told the court that the 34-year-old victim was on his way home from work on his motorbike on the evening the incident took place.

He'd picked up a slow puncture and so was travelling at 20mph.

Ms Williams said the victim was wearing black leathers and had a reflective L plate on his bike.

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As he made his way along the A5104, he was struck from behind and fell off the bike.

A small car passed him before stopping - the driver of that vehicle being Mason.

Mr Gragnani spent six days in Wrexham Maelor Hospital and 12 days in the Royal Stoke Hospital.

He required two operations on his leg after it was confirmed he'd suffered a segmental fracture.

During interview, Mason confirmed he'd been the driver of the Ford Fiesta which struck Mr Gragnani.

He said he had only become aware of the victim "at the last moment" and accepted he'd hit him.

Ms Williams said it was accepted by the Crown that the defendant hadn't seen the victim - meaning the collision had come about due to a 'momentary lapse in concentration' as the road was straight and properly lit.

In a victim personal statement written some eight months after the incident, Mr Gragnani said he was still healing and remained off work due to pain and swelling.

Bethan Jones, defending, told the court: "He made full and frank admissions and was extremely gracious in saying this was entirely his fault.

"He didn't wish to pass on any blame whatsoever.

"We know Mr Gragnani was driving at 20, limping home because of the puncture.

"Mr Mason was driving particularly slowly too because of the road conditions - it was drizzling and in the hours of darkness."

Ms Jones emphasised to the court that after the collision, Mason had "quite properly stopped" at the scene and remained with the victim until paramedics arrived - as well as checking up on him afterwards.

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"It was a horrible incident for all parties to go through," she added.

Deputy District Judge Paul Conlon told the defendant: "The injury caused to Mr Gragnani was particularly serious and appears to be having a permanent effect on him in terms of his ability to carry out work and his mental state.

"It is unfortunate that this occurred as a result of how you drove on this occasion.

"This was a straight road with street lighting, and somehow or other you failed to notice a motorbike - a vulnerable road user - using the same carriageway."

Mason received a 12 month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and must pay costs of £85, as well as a £114 victim surcharge.