Cyclist thanks well-wishers for helping with £100,000 legal bill after he collided with woman looking at phone

A cyclist who knocked over a yoga teacher staring at her phone in the road has thanked well-wishers for donating towards his £100,000 legal bill.

Robert Hazeldean crashed into Gemma Brushett, 28, and knocked as she crossed into a central London street on July 20, 2015.

She sued him after suffering damage to her front teeth and facial scars in the collision.

Despite Judge Shanti Mauger saying she is "equally to blame for the accident", Mr Hazeldean was ordered to pay the finance worker £4,161.79 in damages and costs estimated at about £100,000 at Central London County Court.

Following the case, more than £45,000 has been raised towards the cyclist's bill through a fundraising page.

He has told his backers he is "forever thankful" for the donations, which came after he said the ruling would leave him bankrupt.

Speaking after the case, Mr Hazeldean said: "I am of course deeply disappointed with the outcome, reeling from the impact it will have on my life, and concerned by the precedent that it might set for other cyclists."

He also warned cyclists may not be aware that they can counterclaim.

"This was not because I was not injured, but because I do not advocate the claim culture," he added.

"I can only hope that the focus on this case highlights the vulnerability of cyclists."

Ms Brushett was one of a "throng" of people trying to cross the road at the start of rush hour when the accident occurred.

She was looking at her mobile phone when crossing the road from east to west and only noticed Mr Hazeldean approaching at the last moment, Central London County Court was told.

She "panicked" and tried to dodge back to a traffic island, but the cyclist, who had been travelling at between 10-15mph, swerved in the same direction and hit her.

Both Ms Brushett and Mr Hazeldean were knocked out by the impact.

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