Road rage dad threatened to ‘chop up’ driver with meat cleaver
A road rage driver threatened to ‘chop up’ a driver with a rusty meat cleaver. Dad-of-three Samson Evans lost his temper in a clash as the ‘red mist descended’, a court was told.
The 30-year-old used the weapon to break a rear indicator on a vehicle belonging to David McDermot. He also broke a wing mirror before fleeing the scene.
The landscape gardener was later arrested and charged with possession of a bladed article, affray, criminal damage and driving while disqualified and without insurance. He admitted the charges and was sentenced yesterday, Tuesday, July 18, the Liverpool Echo reports[1].
Prosecutor Chris Hopkins told Liverpool Crown Court how van driver Evans was behind the victim’s vehicle at traffic lights in Upton, Wirral[3]. When the lights turned green, Evans tried to overtake the car in front “but ran out of road” and was forced to pull in behind it.
Evans followed Mr McDermott’s vehicle until it stopped on April 4. He “made a series of threats” including “I will smash your face in” and “chop you up”.
The court heard he then produced the meat cleaver and damaged Mr McDermott’s car with it. Douglas Stewart, defending, told the court his client had no previous convictions for violence. He said: “The meat cleaver was not taken out with him for any criminal purpose at all, he is a jobbing gardener and it is one of his tools.”
Mr Stewart said his client had acted “out of character”. He said the incident was a “one-off” which ended without any injury.
Addressing the defendant, Recorder David Knifton, KC said: “You were annoyed at having to pull in and the red mist descended resulting in you sounding your horn, flashing your lights and making offensive gestures towards him.”
“Any road rage incident, particularly those involving threats with a weapon, are a cause of significant public concern. All of us who drive, when on the road, may make an error of judgement which may annoy another motorist. Usually, these are left to pass off without consequence.”
The judge said that Evans’ guilty plea, his lack of previous convictions and work history meant he could suspend a jail term. Evans, of Acorn Park in Vincent Street, Blackburn, was given a nine-month prison term, which was suspended for two-years. He was disqualified from driving for a further two years.
He was also ordered to complete 200-hours of unpaid work and 10 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement with the Probation Service. Evans was ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim and £425 in prosecution costs.
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References
- ^ Liverpool Echo reports (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Police probe Celebrity First Dates star disappearance as concern grows for welfare (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Wirral (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham News (data.reachplc.com)
- ^ Email Updates (data.reachplc.com)