A CYCLIST appeared in court yesterday charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a child by wanton or furious cycling.

Philip Douglas Benwell, 38, who spoke only to confirm his personal details, is accused of causing a collision in Poole on Friday, July 25 this year, which caused the victim life-threatening injuries.

Bournemouth Magistrates Court heard Benwell, of Crescent Road, Bournemouth, also faced a separate charge of causing grievous bodily harm to the juvenile – who can’t be identified due to a court order – during the incident.

The crash, during the busy holiday season, left the victim seriously ill and in need of hospital treatment.

The case was adjourned and Benwell was released on unconditional bail to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on November 25, where he will enter a plea.

Magistrates refused to lift reporting restrictions at the request of the press.

The offence of wanton and furious cycling dates from an 1861 act of parliament, the Offences Against the Person Act, later amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1948.

The act says anyone found to “do or cause to be done any bodily harm” by “furious driving or racing, or other wilful misconduct, or by wilful neglect” can go to prison.