AN Ipswich driver is beginning a four-month jail term after leaving a cyclist for dead for 45 minutes before returning to the scene of the accident.Sudbury magistrates heard how cyclist Terrance Neeson , 54, was killed after he swerved into the path of heavy goods vehicle driven Brian Gooch on the A14 at Bury St Edmunds, on October 10, last year.

AN Ipswich driver is beginning a four-month jail term after leaving a cyclist for dead for 45 minutes before returning to the scene of the accident.

Sudbury magistrates heard how cyclist Terrance Neeson , 54, was killed after he swerved into the path of heavy goods vehicle driven Brian Gooch on the A14 at Bury St Edmunds, on October 10, last year.

The court heard that despite knowing he had collided with the cyclist, Gooch continued his journey, until he pulled over in a lay-by before deciding to return.

Gooch's actions meant Mr Neeson was left laying on the roadside in the dark and rain for 45 minutes before an ambulance was called.

The driver, 56, of Willowcroft Road, Ipswich, appeared before Sudbury magistrates for sentencing after earlier pleading guilty to failing to stop after an accident.

Prosecutor Kevin Lowson told the court there was no suggestion that Gooch was responsible for the accident, but he did fail to stop and call for the emergency services immediately.

He said: "The accident happened at the A14 eastern interchange at Bury at 6.25am when it was still dark and raining.

"After the collision Mr Gooch continued until he pulled into a lay-by where he felt sick and vomited. He turned off at the next exit and returned to the scene and he arrived back at 7.10am, when he called 999 for an ambulance. Paramedics declared Mr Neeson dead at the scene."

"When interviewed Mr Gooch said he had driven from Felixstowe and was approaching Bury when he started to feel unwell. He did recall seeing a cyclist and he moved to the right to give him significant room, but the cyclist swerved in front of him and he couldn't avoid the collision. He has admitted driving off, but doesn't know why."

Mitigating, Andrew Lyons, said his client was in a state of shock when he drove away from the accident.

"He describes himself as being in a state of shock. He did drive on, but then he pulled over in a lay-by where he was sick, he came off at the next available exit and came back. He even tried to give the victim mouth-to-mouth resuscitation."

The court heard how Gooch has been a lorry driver for 30 years and was a man of previous good character but for one offence of careless driving.

He was yesterday sentenced to four months in custody and banned from driving for six months.