CAR PARK ROAD RAGE

$500 fine for car park rage

AN IMPATIENT elderly driver who hit a pregnant woman when he drove too fast into a parking space at Bunnings has been fined $500.

Geoffrey Wells, 70, of Young St, Breakwater, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday to charges of dangerous driving, failing to exchange names and addresses and unlawful assault.

The road rage incident occurred in Norlane on January 11, police prosecutor Senior Constable Alana Jackson told the court yesterday.

“Wells tried to enter a parking spot but couldn’t because a woman in the next car had her door open while securing her child in the back seat,” SenConstable Jackson said.

“Wells began beeping his horn at the victim, who, after securing her child, closed the door.

“At that point Wells drove in quickly and struck the woman, who was 27 weeks pregnant, to the hip.

“The blow shook the victim but she remained standing.”

Sen-Constable Jackson said the victim’s mother got out of the vehicle and there was a verbal exchange between her and Wells, with Wells refusing to give his name and address.

“Wells then went into Bunnings and, when he returned, was confronted by the victim’s mother who again asked for his name and address,” she said.

“She stood in the way of Wells’ car telling him she would not move until he supplied his details to her.

“Wells then grabbed the woman by her shoulders and threw her aside.”

Sen-Constable Jackson said the pregnant victim was hospitalised later that day and received physiotherapy for a sore hip while her mother suffered bruising and soreness to her shoulders.

Liraz Jedwab, for Wells, said his client had felt under pressure because other motorists were beeping their horns at him as he waited to park.

“He went into the parking spot too fast and an accident occurred,” Mr Jedwab said.

“He gave his details to Bunnings staff before driving off.”

Magistrate Ann McGarvie fined Wells without conviction and also disqualified him from driving for six months.