Driver used his car as ‘weapon’
REVERSED VEHICLE INTO CYCLIST AT SPEED
A MOTORIST who reversed at speed towards a cyclist has been jailed for three years.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Paul Owens, 39, pulled in front of the cyclist and then as the victim tried to get away, he reversed his car at him, hitting both the cyclist and a house.
Owens, from Peaton Street, Middlesbrough, appeared before the court via video link from Durham Prison to be sentenced for the incident, which happened in January in the town’s Stainton Street.
Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said as Owens reversed the car at speed towards the cyclist, he
“thought he was going to die”.
The court was shown video footage that showed Owens drive his car to block the cyclist’s path. The cyclist then tries to leave in another direction and Owens reverses his car at him.
The court heard the cyclist’s injuries had a ‘significant impact’ on him and the property also suffered some damage.
Paul Abrahams, mitigating, said Owens, who has a string of motoring-related convictions, should be given full credit for his guilty pleas.
He admitted a section 20 assault charge, a charge of dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and causing criminal damage.
Judge Anthony Brown said: “It was an appalling piece of driving, where you weaponised your vehicle. You reversed at speed and trapped this man against the wall of a house.”
He said it was ‘good luck’ the outcome was not worse and he was facing much more serious charges. He jailed Owens for three years and banned him from driving for three years and six months.