A WOMAN whose driving was so erratic someone called 999 to report her, knocked a cyclist off his bike just moments later.

Vicky Emily Standen, 36, of Chapel Street, Newport, admitted driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident whereby personal injury was caused to another person, and using a car with a bulge on the tyre.

The Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court heard on Friday that the road traffic incident took place on Blackwater Road, Newport, on March 18.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said prior to the collision, police were called by the occupants of another car, who had been following Standen and reported her driving in an erratic manner, swerving across the road.

The caller phoned 999 because they thought there was something wrong with the driver, or she was under the influence of drink or drugs.

Shortly afterwards, Standen hit a cyclist, who was knocked off the road and landed on some grass at the side of the road, tangled up in his bike.

The witness dropped his wife off to tend to the cyclist, and carried on following Standen, to try to get her to pull over.

Standen stopped further up the road and said she was turning round to go back, but the witness phoned police to say where they were, and the police were soon on the scene.

Standen tested negative for drink or drugs.

The cyclist, who had been wearing hi-vis clothing, suffered a fractured vertebrae, leaving him unable to work for eight weeks and to this day afraid to get back in the saddle.

James Cameron, for Standen, a carer and mother-of-three, said she accepted causing the collision and driving on 'for some way' before stopping.

She had intended to turn around but was waiting to find a safe place in which to do so.

She regretted what had happened and was sorry it had caused suffering and injuries.

Magistrates banned Standen from driving for six months and gave her an 18-month community order, to include 120 hours of unpaid work.

She must also pay costs of £85 and a £90 surcharge.