A DRIVER who was arrested after a cyclist was left with a serious head injury following a crash near a busy road has been charged with drugs offences.

The man was knocked off his bike in Love Lane, Rayleigh, at about 8.20pm on January 23, near the junction with Crown Hill.

Ambulance crews treated him at the scene before rushing him to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The man is thought to be in his forties. At the time, an ambulance service spokesman described his injury as a “nasty head wound.”

Matthew Tomline-Dunn, 25, of Arterial Road, Rayleigh, was arrested at the scene.

He was originally detained on suspicion of careless driving, drug driving and possession of a class B drug.

He was bailed twice and has now been charged with possession of cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs.

Tomline-Dunn is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on May 8.