Cyclist accused of killing 73-year-old hospital worker after skipping red light

A cyclist killed an elderly man after crashing into him when skipping a red light and and leaving him bleeding and unconscious, a court has been told.

Ermir Loka ran the light and rammed into Peter McCombie, 73, on a pedestrian crossing at 15mph, jurors heard.

The 23-year-old then picked up his bike and cycled away, telling him "look what you've done" before leaving passers-by to help the hospital administrator, prosecutors say.

Loka, of Leyton in east London, denies manslaughter and causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving.

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McCombie was walking home from work at about 5pm on 3 July last year and waited for the green man at a central island on a pedestrian crossing in Tower Hamlets.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Loka was "cycling with a degree of purpose", overtaking other cyclists.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer said: "As (Loka) approached the pedestrian crossing, the lights were on red, and they had been on red for over five seconds.

"However, he did not stop, instead he continued through the red light and crashed into Mr McCombie, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head."

McCombie suffered fractures and bruising to his left side and damage to his skull.

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While "severely injured" a witness heard Loka "remonstrating" with him, Heer said.

The defendant later abandoned his bike and admitted he did not stop, the court heard.

"He said he was in a panic because of what had just happened but also because of his immigration status which was not regularised, and because he knew the police would soon arrive," Heer said.

"He said he thought the deceased would be OK."

It is alleged Loka had "ample time" to see the "lights were against him", and the cyclist handed himself in to police on 28 July.

Jurors were told he said he had spotted McCombie from five metres away and tried to stop but did not manage to do so.

The trial continues.