Injured athlete awarded record-breaking compensation

A former international cyclist whose career was cut short by a road collision has been awarded almost £14million in Britain's largest ever compensation payout.

During a training ride in 1998, former Commonwealth Games cyclist Manny Helmot suffered partial blindness, brain damage and lost the use of his right arm after colliding with a car.

After 36 weeks in hospital, the 39-year-old was told he would never ride a bike, drive a car or work again as result of his injuries and now requires round-the-clock care to survive his day-to-day life.

While waiting for the outcome his personal injury case, Mr Helmot's mother was forced to retire and care for her son but the family's financial and emotional burdens have been lifted after Guernsey's Court of Appeal awarded Mr Helmot £13.75million.

The family sued car driver Dylan Simon's insurance company, with judges initially awarding £9million. Upon appeal the award was drastically increased, eclipsing the previous £11million compensation record held by paralysed crash victim Wasim Mahammed.

However, Mrs Helmot said no amount of money could compensate her son for the injuries he had suffered.

"His life is ruined, but at least we can now afford to give him the care he needs for the rest of his days," she said. "We are really thrilled by the result of the appeal. The extra money will make all the difference in the world."