A 31-YEAR-OLD man has admitted riding his mountain bike dangerously and causing injury to a girl aged nine.

Michael Ledgerwood was speeding to get home in Coldstream when he cut across a blind corner and ploughed into the youngster, who was on her tricycle beside a local play park.

She suffered swelling and grazing to her left cheek, nose and forehead after being struck in the face by the suspension of the mountain bike.

Duns Sheriff Court was told other children came out of the play park to comfort the girl and Ledgerwood told her to go home as he had to leave.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said Ledgerwood spoke to her aunt the following day and enquired about her welfare and also asked her not to contact police.

However the police were made aware of the incident and during interview Ledgerwood said: “It was a total accident.” He pleaded guilty to a charge of riding a cycle dangerously at speed at a blind corner and causing the bike to collide with the child to her injury on April 17.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client had been speeding as he was the subject of a court order curfew which meant he had to be at his home in Hillview by 7pm.

He said: “He was racing to get back and that’s why he was cycling dangerously. He did not know what was round the corner. He did apologise, he did not mean to hit anyone.” Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed a fine of £125.