Eight points for road rage driver
Page 11
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by Mike Jewell • A British truck driver has been convicted of careless driving after harassing an off-duty police officer, in what was described as a fit of "road rage".
Donald Blandford drove so close to PC Terry Atkins' Audi car that his wheels nearly touched it, Fareham magistrates were told. Seconds later he was overtaking on the M27 and manoeuvred his lorry so close to the car that it terrified PC Atkins and his pregnant wife.
Newport, Gwent-based Blandford denied careless and inconsiderate driving and common assault but was convicted by the magistrate. He was fined £200 for each charge, had his licence endorsed with eight penalty points and was ordered to pay £180 costs. lie said afterwards that he would appeal.
The court heard that both vehicles were heading for Gosport and had left the motorway at Junction 11 at Fareham. PC Atkins pulled into a layby to let the artic pass but Blandford stopped behind him, got out of the lorry and punched him. Mrs Atkins, a nurse, needed three months to recover from the trauma of the incident.
She said she saw Blandford hold her husband's head and punch him twice as the fight spilled into the road.
When interviewed by police, Blandford said he had driven close to the Atkins car to put the frighteners on him.
Passing sentence, stipendary magistrate Gareth Cowling said he had nearly banned Blandford from driving.
"You are such an arrogant man," he told him. "Arrogance is your trouble. Think of the distress you have caused."