Prang led to shocking assault

DriVer ran to car and headbutted and punched his Victim

ANGRY driver David McCardle launched a shocking attack on another motorist after they had a minor prang.

The 39-year-old was driving on the outskirts of Newcastle when he and the other man’s car collided.

Instead of swapping details, McCardle ran to the other car, wrenched the door open, punched the driver in the face, kicked him in the chest and headbutted him.

The attack left the shocked victim with three teeth crowns knocked out and having to take time off work.

He said in a victim impact statement: “The man’s behaviour was unacceptable. The incident could have easily been resolved, instead the defendant was aggressive and over the top and the assault was completely unprovoked.”

Newcastle Crown Court heard the accident happened around 6.30pm on March 4 on the A69, heading towards the roundabout with West Road.

“Before the victim could leave the vehicle, he saw the defendant running towards his car,” said Helen Towers, prosecuting. “He wrenched the driver’s door with force before punching him in the face. He then kicked him to the chest before headbutting him.”

After the intervention of a passer-by, McCardle ran back to his car and left.

Recorder Simon Kealey QC told him: “You left him with completely unnecessary and unpleasant injuries. Three front teeth crowns were knocked out and his top lip was burst.

“As a family man, having to return home and tell his family he had been assaulted on his way home must have been extremely unpleasant.”

The judge added: “It’s clear you are ashamed of what you have done and rightly so. You have written a letter of apology which I hope finds its way to the complainant.

“You were struggling with your mental health to a significant degree prior to this offence, you were in turmoil, so there is some explanation for this behaviour, which was out of character.”

McCardle, of Southway, South Denton, Newcastle, who admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 180 hours’ unpaid work and must pay £1,500 compensation – at £30 a month as he is currently not working.

Matthew Purves, defending, said McCardle agrees with the comments from the victim, adding: “He expresses, through me, his most sincere apologies and regret for what happened.”

Mr Purves said McCardle had been working as a construction project manager on £1m-plus contracts, was involved in a “custody battle” and was under significant stress and pressure.

He added: “He engaged with a crisis team and a day before this incident he was released to the community team, believing his time in crisis had calmed.”