A driver who deliberately rammed a cyclist into a parked truck has avoided jail.
Polish plumber Adam Ruszkowski pursued Thomas Purchase, who had overtaken the motorist on his bike, along Lambeth Walk Road in south London.
The 37-year-old then drove into the software engineer, pushing the cyclist into an HGV, causing spinal fractures and PTSD following the incident.
But Ruszkowski, who was in tears throughout the sentencing hearing at Inner London Crown Court, has been spared jail time, instead receiving a sentence of two years suspended for two years.
The single father to two twin boys will also have to pay Mr Purchase £3,000 in compensation, which includes damage to the bike, and complete 40 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work.
Polish plumber Adam Ruszkowski (pictured, right) pursued Thomas Purchase, who had overtaken the motorist on his bike in south London
The 37-year-old smashed into the cyclist into an HGV along Lambeth Walk Road
Ruszkowski, who was described as ‘one inconsiderate, violent driver who wanted to show who was boss’, has also been banned from driving for two years and will have to complete a test in order to drive again.
The motorist, who was wearing a light blue shirt in court, was helped by an interpreter as Judge Darren Reed summarised the case.
Judge Reed said: ‘At about 11:30am on 29 August last year Thomas Purchase was riding his bike along a Lambeth road in Kennington.
‘Mr Purchase was cycling towards the centre of the road, as there was insufficient room for cars.
‘You thought he had broken your wing mirror, which it appears caused you to lose your temper and to do what you did next.
‘You followed him and began to accelerate. You drove in close proximity to him, coming alongside him.’
The judge added: ‘He was sandwiched between the two vehicles and was not on his bike.
‘Eyewitnesses reported that you deliberately swerved into him.
‘Unsurprisingly your actions had a substantial impact on Mr Purchase.
‘His partner had to care for him. He suffered spinal fractures.
‘This was a moment of madness.
‘Mr Purchase could have been killed by your actions, which, I’m sure, is something you have reflected on.’
Prosecuting, George Jackson said: ‘He was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital with spinal fractures.
‘He has ongoing pain and discomfort which causes him to avoid exercise.
‘He has not been back on his bike.
‘The victim is employed as a software engineer.’
Mr Purchase’s victim statement, read out by Mr Jackson, described how the software engineer was unable to get out of bed for some time after the incident.
‘The impact was so violent and so forceful that I was unable to move my legs. My arms were reduced to uncoordinated wet noodles.
‘I will be forever grateful to the kind members of the public who came to my aid that day, called the emergency services and bought me ice packs for the pain.
‘During the whole ordeal the individual who had run me down was nowhere to be seen.
‘I became a hollow shell of a person, barely able to get out of bed.
He branded the Polish plumber as ‘one inconsiderate, violent driver who wanted to show who was boss.’
Oliver Snodin was mitigating for Ruszkowski and said that the motorist had come to the UK when he was 21.
He added: ‘The defendant has expressed empathy and remorse towards the complainant.
‘This was a moment of madness that was a reaction to the complainants actions.
‘He is self-employed as a plumber.
‘He has had to adapt to not being able to drive anymore.
‘It is frankly something he has had to get used to.
‘He takes jobs in the local area.
‘He doesn’t have the means to carry around large tools.’
Ruszkowski pleaded guilty to one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
