Arrest warrant issued for man after rush-hour assault

A 34-year-old man who dragged a woman from her car in rush hour traffic failed to turn up at court to be sentenced.

Ian McCabe terrified another female motorist by attempting to get into her car as she drove on Hylton Road, in Sunderland.

His third victim was also left fearful after McCabe followed close behind her as she walked on the same road.

The first victim managed to flag down a passing bus, and McCabe was arrested by the police with the help of the bus driver and passers-by.

McCabe, 34, of Flodden Road, Ford, Sunderland, admitted assault by beating, and two charges of threatening behaviour, all on February 28.

He was due to be sentenced at South Northumbria Magistrates’ Court.

Ian Cassidy, defending, said: “Mr McCabe has significant mental health problems.

“He has been in touch with me today to say he has suffered a panic attack, and has gone to see his doctor.

“I told him the court will require medical evidence of that. It may be the court would be prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt on this occasion, and adjourn the case for a week for him to attend.”

The magistrates issued a warrant for the arrest of McCabe.

Bench chairman John Lee said: “We note Mr McCabe also failed to turn up for two appointmentswiththeProbation Service for the preparation of his pre-sentence report.”

At a previous hearing, Ian Cassidy, defending, said: “All Mr McCabe can explain is on that morning he doesn’t really recall a lot of detail and he can’t explain why he has behaved in this bizarre way.

“He believes he may have had a mental health episode. He was on his way to work that day, but he had been awake most of the night – he hadn’t slept.”