A DRIVER who killed a Barrow cyclist in a horror crash has been branded a 'selfish coward' by a judge - after he lied about suffering a brain injury.

Mohammed Munir, 25, “engaged in a charade of being mentally incapacitated” in the months following the collision that killed John Harkins, a court heard.

Mr Harkins, 33, was described by his family as a “gentle giant” who “touched the lives of so many people.”

At around 11pm on November 14, 2016, Mr Harkin was cycling along the A65 Kirkstall Road in Leeds when he was struck head-on as Munir drove at double the speed limit while trying to overtake his cousin’s car, killing Mr Harkins instantly.

After, Munir pretended to police and doctors that he did not know what day it was and was unable to understand simple words to avoid being interviewed.

However, he then went on to buy and drive a new Audi three months later and despite his claims to be mentally incapacitated, police managed to obtain CCTV footage of Munir shopping at Ikea.

Munir, of Argie Avenue, Burley, Leeds, was jailed for six years nine months after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court.

Judge Rodney Jameson QC told him: “You simply decided to lie repeatedly to frustrate the investigation into your criminality.

“I am entirely satisfied that you knew you were guilty of causing the death of John Harkins by dangerous driving.

“Your behaviour throughout the investigation has been selfish, cowardly and dishonest.

“You could not have cared less, your actions were motivated by pure selfishness.”

Munir also expressed contempt for members of Mr Harkins’ distraught relatives, who sat in the public gallery throughout the trial and jurors were told by the judge at the end of the case how Munir had said to a custody officer: “Why can’t they just get over it?”

Judge Jameson praised Mr Harkins’ family members for the quiet dignity and courage they had shown during the case. He said their ordeal had been made worse by the “disgusting discourtesy” they had been shown by those who had come to court to support Munir.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp read out a victim statement on behalf of Mr Harkins’ mum, Karen, which said: “There is a hole in my heart, a hole in my family and a hole in the world that nothing and no one can fill.

“I will never know the wife he could have had or the grandchildren that could have been mine. I just want justice.”

Mr Harkins, who was known as ‘Tats’, was a founder and coach at the cheerleading programme Aviator Cheer, based in Leeds.

Ann Drury, senior investigating officer in the case, said: “I hope that today’s guilty verdict and sentence brings some sort of closure to Mr Harkins family, who have shown great dignity throughout the investigation and court proceedings.”