A DRIVER who raced home to get insurance on a car after his partner hit a cyclist has escaped time behind bars.

Stephen Hooper, 36, of Dyer Road, Southampton, drove his Vauxhall Tigra home after his partner hit a cyclist in June last year, leaving his partner to deal with police officers at the scene.

The cyclist suffered minor injuries, while Hooper, knowing that the car was without insurance, tried to convince police that the newly-purchased insurance was valid at the time of the collision.

The incident happened on Paynes Road, Southampton, on June 5, last year.

Hooper was sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 150 hours community service at Southampton Magistrates Court this morning.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the female driver had not been charged with any offences, but refused comment further.