A MOTORCYCLIST who clipped a schoolboy cyclist when he drove too close has been given a fine by magistrates.

Max MacFarlane struck the 12- year-old, but drove off Worcester, Magistrates Court heard.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said the boy was part of a group of children on bicycles in Gilbert’s End Lane, Hanley Castle, on March 5 and had tried to pull in when he realised the motorcyclist was approaching.

As the bike passed, the rider’s left leg made contact with the boy, causing him to swerve and go over his handle bars.

Mr Dodson said the motorcyclist swore and carried on driving.

However, a passer-by recognised him as MacFarlane.

The boy suffered a 3in bruise to his calf, a 2in by 4in bruise to his thigh, scratches on his knee and thigh, tender ribs, a sprained arm and soft tissue damage, which required him to wear a sling for two days. MacFarlane was arrested and interviewed by police, where he admitted he was riding the motorcycle.

He told officers he had beeped his horn to warn the children of his presence and had tried to give them a wide birth, but one of the cyclists moved to overtake as he drove by, which was when the collision happened.

Mr Dodson said it had been alleged that MacFarlane had deliberately kicked out, but the 21-year-old denied this claim.

MacFarlane, of Kinnersley, Severn Stoke, pleaded guilty to one charge of driving without due care and attention.

Mark Sheward, defending, said his client had been riding motorbikes since he was 16 and had “never had so much as a parking ticket”.

Mr Sheward passed two character references to magistrates, one from his defendant’s former head of sixth form and the other from a retired police officer, and added his client was about to start a degree in computer sciences.

He said the court case had a “dreadful effect” on his client, who wanted to put the incident behind him.

Mr Sheward said MacFarlane, who had no previous convictions and a clean licence, also wished to apologise to the court for taking up its time.

Magistrates fined the defendant £75, ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and costs of £100.

They also endorsed his licence with three penalty points.