Repeat road rager let off
Driver avoids jail despite ‘stupid’ acts
JAYDEN Fyffe had been in trouble for his behaviour behind the wheel for several years before he mowed down another driver during a road rage incident at Molendinar in April.
Last year, the 19-year-old was sentenced to six months’ probation for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle where he caused damage to another car in a road rage incident. His traffic history included speeding fines, failing to stop at a red light, and unlicensed and dangerous driving.
It was yesterday described by Southport magistrate Joan White as the actions of a “stupid young man”. Despite this, he was given one more chance, walking from court with probation and a suspended sentence after plead- ing guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assault occasioning bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene of an incident.
The charges came after Fyffe was involved in a road rage incident with another man – Joel Henry – who he sent flying through the air after deliberately hitting him with his car on Harper Street at 2.35pm on April 28.
The Southport Magistrates Court heard Mr Henry tailgated Fyffe before the 19year-old P-plater pulled over to let him pass.
Instead of passing, the victim got out of his car and shouted “what the (expletive) are you doing, you stupid Pplater”. At this, Fyffe reversed before driving forward and striking the young father-ofone, causing him to fly through the air.
Fyffe then drove away, leaving nearby factory workers to tend to the uncon- scious man. The court heard Fyffe thought the man was carrying a metal bar as he approached. Fyffe left the scene because he “panicked”, the court was told.
The court yesterday heard no detail of Mr Henry’s injuries.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Rachel French said things “could easily have been much worse”.
However, Fyffe’s defence barrister Alistair McDougall, instructed by Jason Grant of Hannay Lawyers, told the court his client was remorseful, having turned himself in to police two hours after the incident.
For the dangerous driving charge, Ms White convicted and sentenced the man to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years. She ordered him to serve two years’ probation for the assault and he was convicted on the other charge.