Driver jailed for road rage attack (From Crewe Guardian)

Driver jailed for road rage attack

12:38pm Monday 4th December 2006

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A YOUNG businessman who dragged a motorist from his car during a shocking road rage incident has been jailed for three months.

Computer whizz Daniel Freakley used his van to repeatedly ram car driver Kevin Swanson as both made their way along the A500 near Crewe and Nantwich, Chester Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

The court heard how Mr Swanson became so concerned that he pulled over at a roundabout and tried to alert police.

But Freakley, aged 24, smashed his window, dragged him through the windscreen and told him: "Don't ever cut me up again."

Freakley then followed Mr Swanson's vehicle to nearby services. Freakley approached the car and said: "Let's sort this out now".

He flung £50 in notes towards Mr Swanson and said: "Don't cut me up again or I will kill you."

After Freakley left the scene, Mr Swanson noticed that the van's registration plate had become embedded in his rear bumper.

The victim informed police about the incident, with the registration plate details, and Freakley was arrested. He immediately confessed to his actions.

John Sachs, defending, said his client ran his own fledgling computer company and had been under considerable pressure, which had contributed to the incident.

Probation officers who interviewed Freakley about the matter found him to be self-absorbed, with little realisation about the seriousness of his offending.

Unusually his pre-sentence report did not contain an alternative sentencing option, such as community service or probation assistance, the court heard.

Jailing Freakley, Judge David Hale said he had to get the message that drivers must co-exist peacefully on Cheshire's increasingly busy roads.

Freakley, of Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent, who admitted dangerous driving, assault and criminal damage, was also banned from driving for 12 months, and ordered to pay £270 costs.

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