A 65-year-old driver has been banned from the road for 12 months following the death of a local cyclist in Norwich, Norfolk. On 24 March 2026, Jose Da Silva Junior was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court after he admitted causing the death of Jane Blackwell by careless driving.
Mrs Blackwell was cycling home from a swimming lesson in August 2023 when she was struck by a Renault Laguna at the junction of Albemarle Road and Newmarket Road. The 64-year-old died after she became trapped under the car and suffered from asphyxiation.
In addition to the driving ban, Da Silva Junior received a two-year community order and 300 hours of unpaid work. Mrs Blackwell’s family said the sentence did not reflect the depth of their loss and noted that her death has left a void that can never be filled.
Judge Anthony Bate said it was not clear why the driver failed to see the cyclist, as she was clearly visible on the road at the time. Prosecutors suggested that he may have been distracted by temporary traffic lights appearing ahead of him on the road.
Mark Easter, a collision investigator for Norfolk Constabulary, warned that even a momentary lapse in concentration behind the wheel can have devastating and fatal consequences. The Norwich Cycling Campaign has used the case to reiterate calls for bold political action and improved cycling infrastructure to prevent future tragedies.
