A PEDESTRIAN suffered a broken arm after he was crashed into by an over-the-limit cyclist on a Carlisle street.

The victim - a 64-year-old lorry driver - suffered an injury so serious that he had to take six weeks off work, losing £2,500 in wages, the city's Rickergate Magistrates' Court heard.

Neil Alexander Edwards, 49, admitted riding a pedal cycle while under the influence of alcohol.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said the victim had been crossing Wood Street in Carlisle at around 7pm on July 13 when the defendant collided with him, knocking him to the ground.

The victim was taken to The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, where doctors diagnosed that he had sustained a fractured elbow. "Police attended the home of the defendant," said the prosecutor.

The police officers noticed that he appeared drunk and Edwards was asked to take a breath test. This confirmed that he had at that time 98mcg of alcohol in 100mls of breath - just under three times the legal limit for driving.

Mrs Ward said the arm injury had caused the victim considerable pain, which has continued to this day.

He has been told he needs physiotherapy.

His only income since the accident had been statutory sick pay.

The man had not been able to return to his job as a lorry driver because of his injury and he did not know whether he could return to the job, which normally involved a lot of physical activity, including lifting goods on and off the lorry that he drives.

"It's had a significant impact on the family budget," said the man, who fears that the injury will affect him long-term. He added: "I've been injured through no fault of my own."

The defendant, of Oakleigh Way, Botcherby, told the court: "I've been going through a bad time; I had a major health scare. I was working, then I was off sick and then I got sacked."

He said he was hoping to get back to work but he had been depressed, adding: "I'm sorry the accident happened."

District Judge Gerald Chalk told Edwards: "Though the offence is relatively minor, the consequences are significant. There has been a loss of earnings and the pain suffered by [the victim] is substantial."

The judge said he could order compensation only for the injury sustained, set at £250, but not for the lost earnings.

He also ordered Edwards to pay a £75 fine, £85 costs, and a £32 victim surcharge.