Driver fined for road rage row

A white van man who reduced two women to tears in a road rage incident was fined £500 yesterday.

Service engineer Norman Paton was told he “should be ashamed of himself” for using his works van like a “weapon” during the incident.

Sheriff Valerie Johnston said: “He is a grown man and he behaves on a road like this with young women. He should be ashamed of himself. This was road rage – pure and simple.

“He is driving a vehicle, which is almost a weapon, in a way which can intimidate and cause serious injury. Driving in that manner he would have been close to losing control.”

Depute fiscal Carol Whyte told Perth Sheriff Court that Amy Graham and Nicola Stilwell, both 26, were in a car travelling from Dundee to Perth shortly after 8am on May 20.

“They became aware of the accused. He appeared suddenly and was sitting very close behind them. He repeatedly flashed his headlights while driving close to them. “There was also gesturing. “It continued over a period of several miles and they contacted the police. Police spoke to the females and they were both crying and visibly shaken.”

Paton, 29, of Union Street, Monifieth, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on the A90 between Dundee and Perth and causing fear or alarm. The court was told Paton had “taken umbrage” at the way the women had entered a roundabout.