Mr Angry sticker led police to man who lost temper in road incident
HE INTERFERED IN TRAFFIC ROW BETWEEN BUILDER AND WOMAN
LORRY driver with a Mr Angry sticker on his window ended up in court after punching another motorist.
James Hartley-Sinclair was seen to get out of his lorry and repeatedly punch the driver of a van in the face while trying to drag him from the vehicle.
He claimed he attacked the van driver for “picking on” a female motorist.
The 62-year-old victim, a selfemployed builder, went to hospital suffering from black eyes, numerous cuts, bruises, bumps and scratches to his face and chest and ripped clothing.
He had five days off work and has ongoing issues with his left eye.
The whole episode was seen by a police community support officer, who also noted the Mr Angry sticker in the window – which helped to identify Hartley-Sinclair.
Leicester Crown Court was told the 35-year-old defendant, a father of four, later claimed to have lost his temper because, after they had words, the van driver ran over his foot when the traffic lights turned green, at Grove Farm Triangle, Enderby, on June 14, last year.
Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said: “It was 8.15am and the victim, in a Vauxhall Vivaro, was on the A563 (Lubbesthorpe Way) going towards Fosse Park Retail Centre when a people carrier sharply pulled in front of him, causing him to brake hard.”
the traffic stopped, the man spoke to the woman driver about cutting him up, but she began swearing, made a rude gesture and a child passenger joined in abusing him.
He returned to his van to continue his journey, but the defendant, who saw the exchange from his HGV, intervened at red lights near the Soar Valley junction.
He got down from his cab and confronted the van driver, alleging he was “picking on an innocent woman” and was not interested in the explanation being offered, said Mr Bannister.
When the lights changed, HartleyA
Sinclair accused him of trying to run him over and pulled off the wing mirror, leaving it hanging and punched the van’s window out of alignment.
The prosecutor said: “He opened the door and was punching the victim’s face, trying to drag him out, but the seatbelt made it difficult.”
The Pcso summoned back-up, but the violence stopped when he made himself known.
Mr Bannister said: “As the defendant drove off, it was noticed he had a sticker saying Mr Angry.’”
Hartley-Sinclair, of Wharfdale Close, Scunthorpe, admitted causWhen ing actual bodily harm and causing £390 damage to the van.
Recorder Owain Thomas QC, said: “Your basis of plea is that he reversed over part of your foot and you say you didn’t punch him 12 to 18 times, but accept no more than six blows. They were described by a witness as ‘ferocious.’”
Jonathan Dunne, mitigating, said: “He’s written to the court and the victim because he wants him to know how sorry he is. Hopefully, it can be forwarded by the CPS or the police.”
Hartley-Sinclair was given a 14week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay a total of £2,640 compensation towards the victim’s injuries, lost earnings and damaged vehicle.