Tribute to lecturer killed as 'sun blinded driver'

The family of a woman killed by a careless driver in Nottinghamshire have paid tribute to a "dedicated sister, aunt, daughter, partner and friend".

Nicola Verdon, 54, was cycling between the villages of Moorhouse and Ossington on 29 December 2024 when she was hit from behind by a car.

Verdon, who was a professor of British Rural History and president of the British Agricultural History Society, and taught at Sheffield Hallam University, had returned to the area for the Christmas holidays.

Last month, Peter Hopkinson, 88, who admitted causing death by careless driving while dazzled by the sun, was given an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

Verdon had also had lecturing roles in Leicester, Harlaxton College and the University of Sussex.

The tribute described her research into agricultural labour as "groundbreaking".

It said she left a legacy with many early-career researchers she mentored going on to successful positions.

Her family added in a statement: "Nicola grew up in the countryside of Nottinghamshire - Norwell, Sutton and Normanton - and she loved returning there to stay with her parents, walk the fields and enjoy the pubs, as she did at Christmas 2024.

"Nicola was unpretentious, friendly and gregarious, always taking time to talk with anyone about pretty much anything.

"She was a dedicated sister, aunt, daughter, partner, friend and dog walker, who has left us many joyful memories but has passed from us far too soon."

According to police, Hopkinson, of Moorhouse Road in Moorhouse, explained the accident took place because his vision had been impaired by the low winter sun and he had not seen Verdon.

Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 7 May, he was also banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to take an extended test.

Det Con Emma Temple, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was a tragic and entirely avoidable death that I hope sends a clear warning to all drivers.

"Low winter sunshine is a known hazard, particularly when combined with dirty or icy windscreens.

"If drivers cannot see clearly in front of them, they have a clear obligation under the Highway Code to slow down or stop until it is safe to proceed.

"The decision of the driver in this case to carry on regardless led directly to the death of a remarkable and much-loved woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew her."

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