Cyclist who knocked down girl, 5, in viral video is SUING her dad claiming he’s been bullied and can’t ride his bike | The Sun
A CYCLIST, who sued a dad for alleged bullying after the family man posted a viral video of him knocking down his little girl, has now claimed he can no longer ride his bike.
The Belgian cyclist went viral for knocking over the five year old on an icy path during a Christmas Day walk after the video was posted online.
The sexagenarian cyclist, who has not been identified, demanded compensation from dad Patrick Mpasa, who posted the video shot at the High Fens nature reserve in the Ardennes region of Belgium in December 2020.
In the video, the suspect, 62, seemingly deliberately put his leg out, striking the little girl in the back and sending her flying onto the snow-covered ground.
But, outraged by the effect the viral video allegedly had over his emotional well-being, the cyclist filed a complaint against the five-year-old's family, seeking €4,500 (£3,911) compensation for what he claimed was social media bullying.
The requested compensation – which allegedly damaged the cyclist's reputation by causing a smear campaign – corresponds to the value of his bike, that he now claims he has been too traumatised to use since the video went viral on social media.
READ MORE IN WORLD NEWS
France faces no electricity TWO HOURS a day this winter amid Putin energy crisis
Watch as thief battered by woman he robbed- who turns out to be JU-JITSU expert
After court officials made no judgements on the case on April 4 2022 following pleadings, court officials reopened the case again on September 13.
The court in Verviers has now ruled the little girl's dad did not violate the cyclist's personal rights by posting the video.
It is understood new hearings will follow to reclarify the facts.
Philippe Culot, the cyclist's lawyer, said: "My client does not want to make money out of this. He wants to make it clear that you can't just post anything on social media.
Most read in News
Queue to see the Queen lying in state PAUSED for at least 6 hours
Harry celebrates birthday privately with Meg – but Wills 'hasn't forgotten'
Harry WILL be allowed to wear military uniform at Queen’s vigil
William says Queen’s procession ‘reminded him of mum's funeral'
"The consequences of the video were dramatic for him. He has not ridden his bike since the incident."
In the video, the five-year-old girl is seen walking by her mother's side on the snow-covered path as the cyclist approaches them from behind.
Just as he rides alongside the girl, he seemingly extends his knee out.
He hits the little girl and knocking her to the ground before continuing on his way seemingly unphased.
Read More on The Sun
Charles is a man wrestling with the weight of history and winning
The Queen’s secret signal using a lipstick revealed by former royal footman
The five-year-old's family said the cyclist did not stop to check if the girl was okay but carried on cycling down the path.
Mpasa, who managed to catch up with him, said in 2020: "He explained what happened and asked us to withdraw the police complaint, but he showed no remorse and did not apologise."
Source: Read Full Article