Woman who tweeted about 'bloody cyclists' found guilty of offences

A British motorist who tweeted about “bloody cyclists” after a collision described the post as “my biggest regret” as she was convicted of driving offences.

Former trainee accountant Emma Way, 22, from Watton, Norfolk, was found guilty at Norwich Magistrates’ Court today of failing to stop after a collision and failing to report an accident.

She was cleared of driving without due care and attention.

Magistrates heard that police only became aware of the collision on May 19 because Miss Way tweeted “definitely knocked a cyclist off his bike earlier. I have right of way – he doesn’t even pay road tax!” using the hashtag #bloodycyclists afterwards.

Cyclist Toby Hockley suffered bruising and minor damage to his bike in the incident near the village of Rockland All Saints, Norfolk.

Magistrate Martin Cliffe fined Way £337 and ordered her to pay £300 in costs. He also ordered that seven penalty points be added to her licence.

Way told the court that she had lost her job with Norwich-based accountancy firm Larking Gowen as a result of the tweet.

She said: “The tweet was spur of the moment. It was ridiculous and stupid and I apologise to all cyclists.

“It is the biggest regret of my life so far.”

Way had about 200 Twitter followers when she sent the message and used to tweet daily.

She said she had since quit the social networking site.