I will kill you, learner driver told examiner who failed him
AFTER having 100 driving lessons in just one year – at a cost of £2,500 – Antony Alltree was sure he would pass his test. He had memorised his Highway Code and passed his theory exam and was confident as he took to the wheel for his practical.
So when the examiner had to slam on the brakes while less than halfway round the route he was more than a little upset.
He jumped out of the car and slammed the door, screaming: ‘It’s ridiculous’.
He then threatened to murder examiner John Williams and his driving instructor, Kenneth Spencer, who was sitting in the back of the car.
Fearing for their safety the pair drove off – but Alltree, 25, gave chase all the way back to the test centre in Nelson, Lancashire, shouting: ‘All I have to do is make one phone call and you are both dead. I will kill you.’
The outburst ended up in Burnley Magistrates’ Court, where the learner driver admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour during his driving test.
Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said Alltree, a musician, was resitting his test earlier this month after failing it the previous August.
Alltree was confident he could get his driving licence at the second attempt, but trouble began when the car came to a junction at a roundabout.
As he pulled away from the junction Mr Williams feared the learner was going too fast and suddenly slammed the brakes on the test vehicle’s dual controls.
Alltree was so furious, he jumped out of the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut, shouting: ‘It’s ridiculous’, before adding: ‘You wouldn’t have done that if you knew who I was.’
Mr Robinson told the court: ‘The instructor got out to try and calm him down but the defendant said, “All I have to do is make one phone call and you are both dead. I will kill you”.’
Alltree repeatedly swore at the instructor and examiner, who then drove off towards the test centre with Alltree chasing after them.
The prosecutor said: ‘ They drove back and about 10 minutes later, he was there at the door again and they phoned the police. The instructor said he was very shaken up and scared. Both victims were public servants. Both feared for their safety.’
Mr Williams, an examiner for 10 years, said he was shocked by the incident and unable to carry out any more tests that day as a result. Graeme Parkinson, defending, said Alltree, an aspir- ing singer, had anger management issues and found the driving test ‘stressful’.
He added: ‘He had spent over £2,500 trying to pass his driving test and he didn’t accept it as appropriate action when the brakes were applied. The examiner terminated the test and he didn’t accept that either.’
The case was adjourned for a trial of the facts, and Alltree was unconditionally bailed to a later date.
After the hearing Alltree, who is no longer being taught by Mr Spencer, said he didn’t think he had been treated fairly.
He said: ‘I just wasn’t happy with the fact the examiner failed me quarter of the way in to my test.
‘I had just spent good money on lessons and the test itself – and I deserved a full test as far as I’m concerned, it would have given me extra experience.
‘ I did say silly stuff which shouldn’t have come out but it’s in the heat of the moment – yet they’re making me look like a man possessed.’
Alltree added: ‘It’s taken me a long time to pass my theory test in the first place. Now I only have a year left to finish my practical.
‘I will be going to my next driving test wearing a load of cameras. A recurrence of this won’t be happening. That’s for sure.’
Mr Williams and Mr Spencer were unavailable for comment.
‘I’d spent good money on the test’