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Us prosecutor fined after biker loses leg

Wed, 15 Jul 2015

An American prosecutor has been fined £5,000, and ordered to pay £5,000 in compensation, after a motorbike rider lost part of his leg in a crash during TT.

44-year-old Nathaniel Mendell was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse yesterday where he pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care or consideration.

The Massachusetts man, who is the chief prosecutor at the US Attorney's Office in Boston, hit the rider on the Main Road in Ballaugh on June 8th as he was trying to cross the carriageway.

His advocate said he was executing a "cautious manoeuvre" at a particularly busy time and was almost stationary - saying it may never be explained how he failed to see the motorcyclist.

The rider had to have his right leg amputated below the knee and his femur pinned - he also suffered fractures to his left knee.

Mendell was said to be "deeply distressed" about the injuries caused with his advocate telling the court "these things happen in a flash and the damage is done." 

Sentencing him Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Mendell it was more than a "momentary lapse of concentration" and as he was unfamiliar with the roads he should have taken more care.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months - something that only applies in the UK and Isle of Man - and ordered to pay £125 in costs.

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