Pensioner beat cyclist after near-collision

A 77-year-old man repeatedly punched a cyclist when he saw red during an incident of road rage in Scarborough.
Scene of Ramshill road rage incident .pic richard ponterScene of Ramshill road rage incident .pic richard ponter
Scene of Ramshill road rage incident .pic richard ponter

Brian MacDonald, of Doncaster, pleaded guilty to assaulting the cyclist after he earlier angered him by riding around the wrong side of a bollard in Filey Road.

Scarborough Magistrates’ Court heard the victim was cycling in a bus lane and while MacDonald went to overtake he opened his window to voice his anger before stopping at a set of traffic lights.

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Katy Varlow, prosecuting, said that when the cyclist caught up with MacDonald at the next set of lights, he stopped directly in front of his Hyundai IX35.

“With a long queue of traffic behind him, MacDonald nudged forward until the victim was slightly under the car,” she said.

“MacDonald then got out of his vehicle, which was also carrying his wife, and started repeatedly punching the cyclist.”

A passer-by said he was “astounded” as he saw the 77-year-old deliver eight or nine hard blows to the neck, face and helmet of the cyclist without any retaliation. The cyclist then went to remove the keys out of the ignition of the car which angered the defendant further.

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Witnesses said that MacDonald punched the cyclist with “ferocity” and that he continued when the pair hit the floor before another driver dragged the pensioner off.

The cyclist escaped with minor injuries and was shaken up following the incident.

MacDonald wept as Robert Vining, mitigating, said it was his first appearance in a courtroom, on May 12.

He said: “Mr MacDonald bitterly regrets his actions. If anyone could come into court and rely on good character, it is Mr MacDonald. He lost his temper but he is not prone to this.”

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Suspending MacDonald from driving for 12 months, chairman of the bench Philip Catterall said: “This was a case of road rage. You used your vehicle to move forward on to the cyclist before repeatedly punching him in an aggressive manner. Because this is your first time in court and due to your good character a community order would serve no good for you.” MacDonald was also fined £220, ordered to pay £150 compensation, a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.