Former Manchester United footballer Nicky Butt has been banned from driving for 12 months after breaking a motorcyclist’s leg in a crash.
The 49-year-old was also ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work at Blackburn Magistrates Court after admitting causing serious injury by careless driving.
Butt was driving his Land Rover Defender and heading home after taking his son to a football training session in Burnley when he pulled out in front of a Honda motorbike following a “momentary lapse of concentration”, the court heard.
Adam Fielding, who was on the bike, suffered a broken left leg and other injuries.
The 28-year-old spent two weeks in hospital after the collision which happened at around 8.10pm on 17 October 2022.
He had to have metal rods inserted in his leg.
The court was told he lost his job and has suffered psychological damage and is in constant pain.
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Butt told the court in a statement: “I could not be more sorry.”
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John Dye, the barrister representing Butt, read a letter from the ex-Old Trafford favourite and England international, to Mr Fielding.
In it, Butt said he had “not stopped thinking about the accident” and its impact on Mr Field and his family..
He said: “I am truly sorry about the accident. I never set out to hurt anybody that night. What happened was a total accident. I checked and checked and checked again. If I could go back and change the events of that journey I would.
“I hope you can put this accident behind you. I could not be more sorry.
“I can only hope you can take this letter for what it is, heartfelt.”
Mr Dye said Butt had stayed at the scene after the crash, had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty to the charge.
He said Butt already does voluntary work with released prisoners and passed on “glowing” references to the judge which were not read out in court – and asked for the defendant to be fined.
However, District Judge Alex Preston told Butt: “It doesn’t seem to me you should be treated as an exceptional case because of your means.
“You have been unable to explain why you did not see the victim on his motorbike. You should not have pulled out at this junction. This was a serious error by you. All drivers must ‘Think bike’ at junctions.
“It is accepted by all parties however that this chain of events was set in motion by a momentary lapse of concentration by you.”
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She added: “I have no doubt you deeply regret what happened and feel genuine remorse.
“I do feel the case is serious enough for a community order. It is a matter for Probation how a community order is managed.”
Butt was also ordered to pay a £140 government surcharge and £85 costs.
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