A businessman who left a cyclist with a broken back after deliberately running him down has been jailed.

Clifford Harper, 51, of Ravenscourt Gardens, Stamford Brook , swerved his BMW towards Peter Corfe in Crawford Street, Marylebone , after the pair traded insults on March 31.

He then threatened the cyclist saying: “I will run you over again if I have to.”

Mr Harper was identified after witnesses took pictures of the vehicle and CCTV was recovered after he fled Crawford Street.

During his trial, Southwark Crown Court heard Harper – who provides for a wife and daughter while caring for his elderly parents – temporarily “lost his mind” as personal life pressures built.

Jurors heard that the 51-year-old is the director of a property development firm and 150 employees rely on him for work.

However, when jailing Harper for two years and three months, a judge described it as a “deliberate, shocking, appalling piece of driving” with devastating consequences for the cyclist.

The cyclist was deliberately run down in Crawford Street in Marylebone

Prosecutor Cynthia McFarlane said the incident was witnessed by many people, including one who recalled a man saying “watch where you're going” before hearing a car accelerating.

She added: “As the witnesses walked over to the cyclist, the driver of the red BMW, the defendant, gets out of his car, walks over to the cyclist and says: 'I'll do it again'."

Onlookers pleaded with Harper to stay with the stricken rider until police arrived, but he reportedly “ignored them and drove off”.

'Momentarily lost his mind'

After Harper was arrested on April 12, he told police scratches left by the collision had “been there for years”, but he finally admitted the offence earlier this month.

According to Sarah Iskarous, defending, the married father – who bankrolled the private care of his sick parents - “momentarily lost his mind” due to personal and financial stress.

He had been on his way to see an ophthalmologist after being diagnosed with cataracts, in addition to a number of other conditions – including the insertion of a metal heart valve which gives him the expected lifespan of just six more years.

Harper appeared on trial at Southwark Crown Court

Speaking from the dock, Harper tearfully offered apologies to Mr Corfe and his family.

“I have let society down – I am very, very sorry,” he said.

The victim was in hospital for nine days after the incident and says he was in “excruciating pain” as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Harper admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, was jailed for two years and three months and was ordered to pay £5,000 compensation on Tuesday (October 31).

He was also banned from driving for three years, given six penalty points and ordered to take an extended retest when the disqualification expires.

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