Stressed Bristol salesman drove at road engineer

A stressed Bristol salesman who drove at a road engineer and injured his knees after he was stopped from passing a road barrier has walked out of court with a suspended prison sentence.

Salesman Jonathan Evans had been late for work and under pressure to meet targets when he came across road works in Weston in Gordano.

The 42-year-old, of Stevens Crescent, Totterdown, asked victim, Darren Patch, if he could pass through, then angrily revved his car and drove forward when he was refused.

Evans, a father of three, was said to have misjudged the manoeuvre and drove into the knees of Mr Patch who suffered severe injuries. He has been forced to give up plans to become a plumber as he would be unable to kneel.

Evans was arrested and later pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving.

Yesterday he was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to complete an aggression replacement training programme and will be supervised for two years.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and his licence will be endorsed.

Mark Worsley, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, told how Evans injured Mr Patch in a moment of road rage on Clapton Lane in Weston-in-Gordano on June 4 last year.

He said Mr Patch had been part of a team carrying out work to the road and closed it to traffic with barriers.

Mr Worsley said the defendant revved his engine and drove forward but braked too late and struck Mr Patch's knees, leaving him bent over his bonnet.

The court heard that Mr Patch cried out and fell to the ground and his colleagues ran over and seized Evans' ignition keys.

The emergency services were called and paramedics found Mr Patch in pain leaning against a gate post.

Hospital doctors found the victim had grating and tenderness in both knees.

Jason Taylor, defending, said it was "a moment of foolishness and impatience" that led his client to behave as he had. He said he had been under pressure to reach sales targets at the time.

"It was the icing on the cake when he could not get to work on time. He thought work had not started on the road and the workman was being obstructive," said Mr Taylor.

Sentencing Evans, Recorder Mr Barry Cotter QC said: "This is quite an extraordinary offence of what could be described as road rage. There can be no excuse for behaviour this aggressive from any motorist.

"I sentence you on the basis that you did not deliberately drive at Mr Patch.

"It was not your intent to cause those injuries. Nevertheless, it's important it is recorded that the effect on Mr Patch has been considerable.

"You have had a devastating effect on this man's life."