A P-PLATE driver has walked from court with a suspended sentence and period of probation after mowing down another driver during a road rage incident in April.
A P-PLATE driver has walked from court with a suspended sentence and period of probation after mowing down another driver during a road rage incident in April.
Jayden Fyffe, 19, plead guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assault occasioning bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene of an incident.
The charges came after Fyffe was involved in a road rage incident with another man — Joel Henry — who he sent flying through the air after deliberately hitting him with his car on Harper Street, Molendinar at 2.35pm on April 28.
The Southport Magistrates Court heard Mr Henry tailgated Fyffe before the 19-year-old P-plater pulled over to let him pass.
Instead of passing, the victim got out of his car and shouted “what the (expletive) are you doing you stupid P-plater?”.
At this, Fyffe reversed before driving forward and striking the young father-of-one, causing him to fly through the air.
Fyffe then fled, leaving nearby factory workers to tend to the unconscious man.
The court heard Fyffe thought the man was carrying a metal bar as he approached.
He left the scene because he “panicked”, the court was told.
The court yesterday heard no detail of Mr Henry’s injuries.
Police prosecutor senior constable Rachel French said things “could easily have been much worse”.
The court heard Fyffe had an extensive traffic history, which included several speeding fines, failing to stop at a red light, unlicensed and dangerous driving.
However, Fyffe’s defence barrister Alistair McDougall, instructed by Jason Grant, told the court his client was remorseful for his actions, having turned himself in to police two hours after the incident and participating in a police interview.
He said the man had been brought up in violent home and threats of violence made him react with anger.
He said his client was provoked and his actions were “spontaneous” and not “premeditated”.
“They were not dangerous to the public generally,” Ms McDougall said.
For the dangerous driving charge, Ms White convicted and sentenced the man to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years.
She ordered him to serve two years probation for the assault and he was convicted but not further punished on the other charge.
She took into consideration the man’s age, guilty plea and level of remorse.
