Banned rugby star may appeal

Mike Voyle admitted failing to report the accident

Welsh rugby international Mike Voyle has said he may appeal against a court decision following a road accident which left a student in hospital.

The Cardiff RFC second row forward was fined £1,250 with £450 costs and banned from driving for six months after being found guilty of driving without due care and attention, and obstructing police investigating the case.

At an earlier hearing Voyle, 31, of Lisvane in Cardiff, had pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, and driving without insurance.

After being sentenced, he said he would be looking to appeal against the decision of the Cardiff magistrates.

The court heard that 19-year-old student David Thomas was in a critical condition for several days after being hit by a Fiat Brava car on a road in Cardiff in February last year.

He was trying to beat the car and he hit the corner of the car. I was in state of shock and panic and just drove home

Defendant Mike Voyle

In a statement, Mr Voyle said he was driving with car at 30mph when he saw someone "flash across the road".

"He was trying to beat the car and he hit the corner of the car. I was in state of shock and panic and just drove home," he added.

A witness reported seeing Mr Thomas being thrown up in the air "like a rag doll" before hitting a pub sign about 7ft off the ground.

The court had been told that second-row forward Mr Voyle, 31, of Lakeside, Cardiff, was seen driving along the city's North Road after playing for Cardiff in a derby against Newport.

Car abandoned

Giving evidence, motorist Richard Hawkins said that Mr Voyle overtook him "doing at least 50mph" shortly before the collision.

It was alleged that he then fled the scene and abandoned the car to obstruct the police in their investigation.

The court heard that when police traced Mr Voyle the following day, he said he had left his car parked in Cardiff after the match. It was subsequently found abandoned three miles from the accident scene.

Student David Thomas was seriously injured

Lee Ingham, prosecuting, added: "But when police discovered the car was not where Voyle claimed to have parked it they questioned him again and he admitted dumping it.

"Mike Voyle deliberately dumped that car to obstruct police in their investigation of this hit-and-run accident.

"The car was found later with its windscreen shattered and damage to the bodywork."

The court heard that Voyle - who has been capped 22 times for Wales - told officers that he did not see Mr Thomas until it was too late.

Welsh rugby coach Graham Henry gave a character reference for Voyle.

Representatives from Llanelli, Cardiff and Newport rugby clubs also gave character references.