A SERIAL offender, who attempted to cover up a fatal accident by leaving a false trail of lies, is now behind bars.

Michael Rollason, of Wootton Street, Bedworth, Warwickshire, showed no emotion as he was led down to the cells at Liverpool Crown Court today, Monday, to start a seven year sentence.

The 39-year-old was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a five day trial where the jury returned a unanimous verdict after 1 hour and 10 minutes of deliberation.

Rollason pleaded guilty to causing the death of father-of-three Terry Brown by careless driving on the morning of the first day of the trial.

But, Simon Christie, who was prosecuting, has argued that a plea of careless driving did not go far enough to reflect Rollason’s actions.

The court heard how Mr Brown, aged 47, was cycling along on the A57 Warrington Road, Bold Heath, when he was hit by a car at 6.35am on February 18, 2014.

The force of the collision was so severe that Mr Brown’s bike was found in two pieces on top of a nearby hedge.

Rollason was arrested around 16 hours later after his car was identified as being near to the scene of the tragic accident by automatic number plate recognition technology.

But before his arrest, he found the time to call his insurance company where he lied about the details of the crash in an attempt to claim for the damage to his car – even chatting about his no claims bonus.

When questioned by police, Rollason said he thought he had hit a wheelie bin and later told officers that he could have been distracted by an air freshener hanging from his rear view mirror. 

He chose not to give evidence in his defence and has offered no explanation as to what actually happened - leaving Mr Brown's family without answers.

Defending Stephen Thomas said: “He admitted that he hit something but he can offer no explanation for it and I’m afraid even if he did give evidence in this case he would not have been able to take matters any further.”

He also added that Rollason and his family have had to leave Great Sankey after his children were approached by strangers making comments, which ‘made life difficult for them’.

Judge Andrew Menary QC said there was 'little evidence of remorse' demonstrated by the defendant and blasted him for leaving a 'false trail' to cover up what had happened. 

He said: "Only you know for sure what happened on that day and why it was that your car struck a cyclist on a long, straight stretch of road where he was clearly there to be seen."

He added: "Given the damage to your vehicle - your windscreen was shattered - you must have been aware of the collision yet you did not stop to investigate what you had done.

"You might have paused momentarily down the road as you claimed in interview but in a callous disregard for the welfare of the man you had hit you did not return to the scene or wait for others to arrive."

The court heard how Rollason has a lengthy offending history and has already served time in prison.

He has previously been disqualified from getting behind the wheel of a car for 12 months after being caught drink driving in 2009.

He has past convictions for motoring and theft offences.

Terry's heartbroken loved ones mouthed 'yes' as the guilty verdict was read out before being overcome with emotion. 

Rollason was handed a seven-year jail sentence and disqualified from driving for eight years.