Northern Ireland

Man admits killing cyclist in car crash

Hing Tong Cheung (61) appeared at Newtownards Crown Court
Hing Tong Cheung (61) appeared at Newtownards Crown Court Hing Tong Cheung (61) appeared at Newtownards Crown Court

A BANGOR man has admitted killing a cyclist and seriously injuring another in a car crash.

Hing Tong Cheung (61) appeared at Newtownards Crown Court today where he denied causing the death of Gavin James Moore and grievous bodily injury to Gareth Boyle by driving dangerously on the Bangor Road in Ards on July 11 2017.

He admitted the lesser charge of causing the death and injury by careless driving.

Mr Moore, a 40-year-old father of two, and his friend Mr Boyle were out with a group of cyclists from North Down Cycling Club when they were in a collision with a Hyundai 4x4. Mr Moore died in hospital while Mr Boyle was left in a critical condition.

Following today's arraignment, prosecuting counsel Laura Ievers told Judge Piers Grant that although the defence team “had been good enough to indicate that such a plea was likely, I will need some time to consider that in detail".

Gavin Moore was killed when a car collided with a group of cyclists
Gavin Moore was killed when a car collided with a group of cyclists Gavin Moore was killed when a car collided with a group of cyclists

She asked the judge to set a potential trial date in the meantime, a step agreed by defence counsel Samuel Magee.

Mr Magee told the judge “I do not anticipate that there will be many, if any, civilian witness required” to give evidence in the trial which the judge set provisionally for June 12.

Ms Ievers highlighted that even with the confessions to the lesser offence, Cheung still faced a “mandatory disqualification” if the judge was minded to impose an interim one pending the conclusion of the case.

Mr Magee told the court that Cheung, from Hanover Hill in the seaside town, “has not been driving” and that his licence was available to be handed in.

Judge Grant ordered an interim disqualification, freeing the killer driver on bail and listing the case for review on May 10.