Fatal crash landlord 'not tired'

Zak Carr was renowned as a solo and tandem cyclist

A pub landlord who killed a top cyclist when his car ran into the back of his bicycle has said he does not know why he did not see the man on the road.

Donald Pearce, 49, of Norwich, denies causing death by dangerous driving when his Rover veered into Zak Carr on the A11 near Wymondham in Norfolk.

Giving evidence at Norwich Crown Court Mr Pearce denied prosecution suggestions he had felt tired.

Mr Carr, 30, was cycling to work when the crash happened on 17 October 2005.

Norwich Crown Court heard that police found scuff marks from Mr Carr's cycle 27cm inside a lay-by.

'Not driving dangerously'

The court also heard on Thursday that pieces of red glass from the cycle's rear-light were found embedded in the Rover's front bumper - which showed the cyclist had been hit from the rear.

Mr Pearce, the landlord of the Farmhouse pub on Colman Road, Norwich, admitted that driving in a lay-by for no good reason must have been below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver.

But he added: "I do not consider I was driving dangerously."

Earlier John Farmer, prosecuting, told the jury publican Mr Pearce and his wife had been in Turkey on a fortnight's holiday and had landed at Stansted at 0400 GMT.

'No overnight sleep'

Mr Pearce had not had an overnight sleep between leaving Turkey the night before, arriving at Stansted in the early hours, and driving back home to Norwich.

Mr Farmer said: "He is driving a car, having had no overnight sleep and no proper rest. He's dozed off, drifted and hit the cyclist."

Mr Pearce later told police in interview that he did not see the cyclist until the last moment.

Mr Carr was one of the top three champion speed cyclists in the country.

The trial continues.