Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Road thug rams car with girl, 2
A Coatbridge thug rammed his car into the back of another vehicle carrying a two- year- old girl during a terrifying road rage incident.
Violent Patrick Reilly, 29, is facing jail after he admitted pursuing another motorist through Whifflet and Shawhead last February and threatening to “chop up” his shocked victim.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard last week how Reilly, of Allan Street, became enraged after trying and failing to skip through traffic on busy Whifflet Street.
Hi s victim – the man who prevent e d him from cutting lanes – was forced to drive around the area in an attempt to escape the attention of Reilly, who was following him.
The man and his young passenger finally managed to get away after burly Reilly, who himself has three
children, rammed his Audi estate into the back of their vehicle, got out and made his way towards them.
Reilly subsequently handed himself in to police and after doing so bragged on social media: “Just in from the cop shop. Another four charges to the list.”
Days later he took to Facebook to complain about the “three grand compulsory excess” on his car insurance policy, asking what “has happened”.
In court last Wednesday the procurator fiscal described the road rage incident. She said: “At around 3.15pm, the witness was driving his vehicle south on Whifflet Street with a two-year-old in the car.
“The accused made an attempt to pull in front of the witness, rather than sit in the queue of traffic. However, the witness refused to let the accused in.
“The accused then started shouting at the witness and began to follow him in his car.”
The alarmed motorist drove around the area because he did not want to go to his home with Reilly in pursuit.
The fiscal continued: “At 3.20pm he was on Hagmill Road and heard the accused shout, ‘you’re lucky your daughter is here or I’d chop you up’.
“His driving was then seen by a second witness who believed he was in excess of the speed limit.
“As the witness slowed down when approaching a junction the accused collided with their car before exiting the vehicle.
“He walked towards the witness’ car with his male passenger but the witness drove away.
“The accused then returned and drove away at speed and tried to follow him again.
“He didn’t negotiate Whifflet roundabout and drove straight through it.
“Both witnesses phoned police and when they attended the witness ’home they saw the damage to the rear of his vehicle.”
The fiscal added: “At 7.15pm on March 1 the accused presented himself at Coatbridge police office and admitted it was his car which caused the damage.”
Before Reilly’s solicitor had the chance to speak Sheriff Derek O’Carroll intervened.
He told Reilly: “Custody is very much at the forefront of my mind here.
“I am considering a lengthy custodial sentence but I feel I should leave it until I have a restriction of liberty assessment.
“You’ll return here on July 13, once