A guilty plea has kept the driver who struck and killed Creswick cyclist Mark Spenceley out of jail.
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Daniel James Marlow, 33, pleaded guilty to a single charge of dangerous driving causing death at the County Court in Melbourne this week, following a sentencing indication from Judge Sandra Davis.
He was convicted and sentenced to a three-year community corrections order on Wednesday, and must complete 500 hours of community work.
He will also be disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Mr Spenceley was killed while riding his bike on the Clunes-Creswick Road near Clunes on March 24, 2019.
The summary of the prosecution's opening notes as Marlow "drove around a right-hand included bend, he collided with the rear of the Victim's bicycle", and immediately stopped to phone 000.
Mr Spenceley, aged 59, died at the scene.
Marlow's son was in the car at the time, and no trace of illicit drugs or alcohol were detected.
The summary noted the road is a "widely-known cycle route that is used by cyclists to ride to Clunes from Creswick and Ballarat".
Judge Davis said without the plea of guilty, Marlow faced an 18-month jail term, with a non-parole period of 15 months.
She noted Marlow's counsel had submitted he was of otherwise good character, and had "excellent" prospects of rehabilitation and a low risk of reoffending.
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"I take into account the delay to date of some two years, in which you played no role, as well as the timing of your plea, and if the matter went to trial it would be unlikely to be finalised until nearly four years after your offending," she said.
"It's up to me to craft an appropriate community corrections order, and I do so having in mind to the seriousness of the offence of dangerous driving causing death, and the important sentencing principles of denunciation, just punishment, and general deterrence.
"I note the apology you have tendered to the court today and read out to those present."
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