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The Guardian World1 min read
Road-rage driver caught on his own dashcam knocking motorist out
TL;DR
A driver was filmed on his own dashcam punching another motorist unconscious during a road rage incident in Llanrwst, Conwy. John Lee, 37, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence for the attack.
Key points
- John Lee punched a motorist unconscious in Llanrwst.
- The incident was recorded on Lee's dashcam.
- Lee received an eight-month suspended prison sentence.
Mentioned in this story
John LeeLlanrwstConwy
A driver was caught on his own dashcam punching another motorist unconscious in an "extremely aggressive and shocking" case of road rage.
The victim had suddenly stopped his car in Llanrwst, Conwy, in June because he thought something was wrong with it.
Caernarfon Crown Court was shown footage of John Lee getting out of his car and shouting, "what are you doing?" before punching the victim in front of his wife, children and elderly parents.
Lee, 37, of Cae Tyddyn, Llanrwst, previously admitted actual bodily harm and was sentenced on 21 April to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
The court heard the victim pulled over to collect eggs from a shop, but stopped his car suddenly when he heard a loud beep. He thought something was wrong with his car.
The dashcam shows Lee also stopping suddenly behind him.
Rabia Tariq, prosecuting, said the defendant then got out of his car, approached the victim's car and grabbed and punched the man, who had opened his door.
Tariq said the victim's wife stepped out of the car and Lee was also verbally aggressive towards her.
The force of the blow caused the victim to lose consciousness and left him with a bruised eye socket and grazed eyelid.
In a personal statement, he described the attack as "extremely aggressive and shocking" and said he had suffered from increased forgetfulness ever since.
The ordeal has also had a lasting emotional impact on his wife and family, he added.
Lee's defence team described the assault as a "single, isolated" moment of madness.
The court heard the self-employed carpenter and joiner, who had served in the military before an injury cut his career short, had struggled with his mental health.
It noted he had established a mental health football team to support himself and others in the community and that his only previous conviction was a referral for common assault in 2005.
Richard Edwards, defending, Lee had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and "bitterly regrets" his impulsive actions.
Sentencing Lee, Judge Nicola Jones highlighted the gravity of the incident and the fact it unfolded in front of the victim's parents and children.
She also criticised Lee for being" verbally aggressive" toward the victim's wife.
As well as the suspended prison sentence, Lee must carry out 10 rehabilitation days and pay £500 compensation and a statutory surcharge.
Q&A
What happened in the road rage incident in Llanrwst?
A driver named John Lee punched another motorist unconscious after he stopped his car suddenly, believing something was wrong with it.
What was John Lee's sentence for the road rage attack?
John Lee was sentenced to eight months in prison, which was suspended for 12 months.
Who witnessed the road rage incident involving John Lee?
The incident was witnessed by the victim's wife, children, and elderly parents.
