A MOTORIST insisted he was not distracted by eating a sandwich when his vehicle struck and killed a cyclist.

Paul Brown, 30, told police he “didn’t see” dad Joe Wilkins, 39, when he struck the retained firefighter from behind on the 60mph Eaton Road out of Appleton on May 24 last year.

The lock worker told police the chicken salad sandwich – which prosecutors say contributed to the crash – was in his left hand as he was in fifth gear driving at 55 to 60mph and did not expect to change.

But in a statement read at Oxford Crown Court yesterday he said: “I don’t consider it a distraction or anything like that. I’m not there with a three-course meal. I don’t go stupid with it.”

Brown, of Oxford Road, Eynsham admits causing death by careless driving but denies causing death by dangerous driving.

He said he had his lights on when the “twilight” smash happened, but the Eynsham cyclist – who was wearing a helmet – had no light on.

He said: “I know all the pitfalls down that road. I just didn’t see the bloke.”

Forensic collision investigator PC James Henderson told jurors visibility was “good” and tests showed the bike would have been first seen from 174 metres, giving 6.5 seconds reaction time. The pedals were not fitted with amber reflective strips as legally required after sunset – it was 9.05pm.

Police vehicle examiner Phil Balderstone said the bike’s light had probably been on at the time of the crash but was faulty because it had been damaged. He could not be sure if the damage was caused before the smash. The trial continues.