Road rage driver who mowed down cyclist is spared jail sentence

A Mercedes driver has been spared jail for chasing a cyclist and mowing him down during a road rage row.

James Carroll, 55, left Mark Grabham with a fractured pelvis after running him over when the pair exchanged words.

He was banned from getting back behind the wheel – but dodged a prison stint despite admitting the attack.

Carroll earlier admitted assault by dangerous driving at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Seith Ireland tagged him and placed him under a curfew for six months.

He earlier said: “Dangerous driving always carries disqualification.

“As a measure for public protection you are disqualified from driving from today’s date.”

Carroll was at the wheel of his silver Mercedes when he became enraged by cyclist Mr Grabham.

The pair were travelling on Renfrew’s Campbell Street when a row erupted.

The motor pulled in front of the rider before the pair began arguing.

Carroll blamed his victim for taking up too much of the road.

Prosecutor Keri Marshall told how he chased his victim down.

She said: “Mark Grabham was on his pedal cycle on his way home.

“A silver- coloured Mercedes travelling at speed came from behind him and pulled in front of the witness, blocking his way.

“Mr Grabham pulled up to the car and gestured to the driver, the accused, regarding the manner of his driving.

“The accused got out of his car and said to the witness: ‘ You were all over the road.’

“And he said: ‘Get off your bike and I will see you at the bottom of the street.’”

The court heard Mr Grabham was undaunted by the challenge and continued on his way turning into Ferry Road and then turned into Kings Inch Road.

But the car pursued him during the ordeal on February 17.

Ms Marshall told how the cyclist was chased down before he was knocked into the carriageway.

She added: “He was aware of the silver coloured car passing him in the right hand side.

“The car then continued in front of him and stopped forcing Mr Grabham to stop.

“He was able to move off in the gap between the car and the pavement.

“He continued along Kings Inch Road and again the silver coloured car pulled in front of him.

“This time the complainer was on the passenger side of the vehicle.

“He pushed the wing mirror in, in the hope it would stop the accused from seeing him as he was trying to get away.

“The witness noticed a left hand turn at Mulberry Road and took it to get away from the silver-coloured car.

“However, shortly after the silver coloured car collided with the right hand side of the witness’s bicycle, which caused him to fall on his right hand side.

“The silver-coloured car reversed after stopping.

“The accused said something like: ‘It was your fault,’ and ‘ You deserved it.’

“He got in his car and left.”

The court heard a witness heard a clattering sound followed by a scream from outside.

She ran out and saw Mr Grabham lying in the road.

The silver Mercedes was in the road with Carroll hanging out it. He was shouting at the rider. The woman managed to take pictures of him before he reversed and tore off.

Self-employed Carroll pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury by dangerous driving.

Defence lawyer Michael McKeown earlier claimed his client had been provoked.

He said: “After he had overtaken the cyclist was gesticulating at him and shouting at him.

“He was bemused by this.

“It was possible the cyclist had been deviating or moving around in the road.

“He had managed to negotiate himself past the cyclist without incident.

“The complainer was unhappy about this.

“It is his position that the cyclist kicked his wing mirror, causing damage. ”

Carroll was banned from the road for two years.

He must stay indoors between 7pm and 7am every day for the next six months.

He has also been ordered to complete 208 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

Carroll, of Rannoch Drive, Renfrew, must sit the extended driving test before he can get behind the wheel again.