Mum of cyclist killed after lorry collision hopes 'lessons have been learned'

The mother of a cyclist killed by a tipper truck driver who failed to indicate and check his mirrors has said she hopes "lessons have been learnt".

Robert Taylor, from Dartford pleaded guilty to causing the death by careless driving of Akis Kollaros, 34, in February last year.

Mr Kollaros' mother, Maria Kollarou, who flew in from Greece for the sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court said: "Nothing can bring back the son I loved so dearly.

"I sincerely hope that lessons have been learnt from this tragic incident and that cycling on London's roads will become safer as result of Akis's death.

"I wish to offer my support to people who have faced similar situations and hope that we can, together, find a way to ensure that such incidents do not occur again."

An experienced cyclist and music producer, Mr Kollaros collided with the truck at 4.20pm while travelling on Wardle Street in east london on February 2, 2015.

Mr Kollaros, originally from Greece, had been at Homerton Hospital getting treatment for his knee when he made the journey down the narrow one-way street.

He had come up to nearside of the vehicle to the give way junction to turn right onto Homerton High Street, when Taylor's four-week-old Mercedes tipper hit him.

The collision caused "head injuries that were instantaneously fatal".

Sentencing Taylor, 51, Judge Noel Lucas said that had he checked his mirrors and indicated there was "every chance the accident would have been avoided".

Judge Lucas also said Mr Kollaros was "lured into a sense of security by the fact the lorry had moved to the right hand side of the road".

He jailed Taylor for 20 weeks and also banned him from driving for 12 months.

Prosecuting Tom Nicholson said Taylor, who had been driving HGVs for 30 years, had also come from the hospital after making a delivery.

The court heard how he failed to completely stop at the junction, swung out to the middle of the road and had not indicated his intention to turn left.

Mr Nicholson said: "Had he indicated, his new vehicle was fitted with sensitive safety equipment - these activate a camera on the near side of the vehicle.

"There were also sensors that would have detected movement and when the indicator is depressed there is audible warning equipment - warning of a left turn."

Taylor claims he had not seen a cyclist on the approach to the junction and that does not know why he did not indicate.

Defending Taylor, Michael Procter said: "He is devastated by what has happened. He will live with this for the rest of his life."