A TRUCKER who has admitted causing the death of a keen cyclist by careless driving must wait to hear his fate.

Neil Gass, 47, entered the Cargo Roundabout on the A689 on the morning of March 29 last year.

Michael Seminara, 71, was riding an electric bike when he was run over by an overtaking HGV driven by Gass as he entered the roundabout’s second junction.

The trucker assumed Mr Seminara was travelling in the same direction but, in fact, the cyclist was planning to take the third exit.

Gass, of Prior Avenue, Canonbie, first denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at Carlisle Crown Court in January, where a jury found him not guilty.

He admitted the charge of causing death by careless driving.

Giving evidence at the hearing in January, Gass told the court he had made an assumption about Mr Seminara’s route plan, based on his position in the left-hand lane of the roundabout.

Gass was due to be sentenced at the city’s crown court yesterday but the hearing was adjourned due to a legal matter that had arisen in the days leading up to his appearance.

No details about the matter in question were revealed in open court.

“Certain legal matters have arisen your honour,” prosecutor Charles Brown told Recorder David Temkin.

“I was informed on email over the weekend that we can’t proceed and that we should see until they are resolved.

“It is my submission that it would not be wise to move onto the sentence for the defendant.”

Lisa Judge, defending, told the court: “I agree around what is required for the preparation of skeleton arguments, yes.”

Recorder Temkin told the court: “There has been a significant delay in this case, as it was originally due to take place six months ago.

“It was delayed for various reasons, which is a matter of great regret.”

Addressing Gass, Recorder Temkin added: “Everybody here in court knows you were waiting and pleading to be sentenced today, you have waited a long time for that and Mr Seminara’s family and supporters have waited too.

“You should know this court will not sentence you to immediate custody for this offence, that much you can rest assured about.”

Gass will be sentenced at 10.30am on August 6.

He was granted unconditional bail until his next appearance.