Van driver sentenced to three and a half years for deliberately running over cyclist

In March 2024, Mark Okotie, a van driver transporting blood to a hospital, deliberately veered into a cyclist’s path on New Cross Road in Lewisham and accelerated over the rider. The attack left the cyclist with several pelvic fractures and a broken femur, necessitating surgery to insert metal fixings. Police, joined by the London Ambulance Service, arrived at the scene around 5.40 pm and secured internal and external dash-cam recordings as well as nearby bus video.

At Woolwich Crown Court, Okotie was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to three years and six months in prison. A victim-impact statement described lasting changes to the cyclist’s daily activities and confidence. Detective Inspector Steven Andrews said the sentence reflects the need for robust prosecution of deliberate road violence, especially when the driver was handling life-saving blood supplies.