A DRUNKEN lout who shoved a passing cyclist to the ground left his victim with a broken hip.

In July last year, Charlie Ward, 22, was out on the town in Colchester celebrating a friend’s upcoming wedding.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard at around 8.15pm three women were approached by Ward and his group of friends in Trinity Street.

The group “appeared quite drunk and aggressive”.

They asked for directions to a pub, before Ward picked up a cardboard egg tray and threw it at one of the women, striking her on the head.

The court heard Ward said: “Don’t make me attack you the way that men attack women”.

A cyclist approached, and as he drew level with the group, Ward suddenly pushed his bicycle.

The cyclist’s feet were strapped to his pedals and he was unable to prevent a fall.

The victim suffered a fractured right hip and medics told him he may suffer long-term issues.

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In a victim impact statement, the cyclist said: “I used to go for dog walks to help with anxiety and depression, but I can’t do that anymore.

“I have been told I’ll be on crutches for six months.

“The doctors cannot guarantee I won’t suffer long term problems with my hip.

“I may now have to walk with a stick in old age and the worst case scenario is I will have to have a hip replacement.”

Ward admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent and assault by beating.

Ian Lewis, mitigating, said there was “no suggestion” Ward had intended to cause the cyclist serious injury.

The court heard Ward, of Caradon Way, London, has one previous conviction, but no history of committing violent offences.

Mr Lewis said: “He was drinking with friends, because one of them was about to get married. He remembers leaving a pub and remembers very little after that.”

Magistrates were told Ward “cannot understand” why he committed the offence and was “horrified” when confronted with images showing the attack.

“He’s never become aggressive in drink before,” said Mr Lewis.

“He fully appreciates it was very wrong and he should rightly be punished for it and he should rightly make recompense to the gentleman he hurt.”

Magistrates said due to the extent of the cyclist’s injuries, they felt unable to impose a suspended prison sentence.

Ward was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation.

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