Driver chased man at 80mph before breaking his jaw in road rage attack
A road-rage driver broke a man’s jaw after chasing him down a dual carriageway at 80mph and throwing a wine bottle at his car.
Kickboxer Matthew Brady, 21, tailgated Brian Sowerby and flashed his lights at him as they drove along the A66.
The victim pulled his van over to the left lane when Brady overtook him and pulled in front.
Mr Sowerby told how Brady threw a bottle out of his car window causing him to swerve.
Brady then slammed on his brakes and jumped out of his car.
In a sickening and unprovoked attack, he began punching the 64-year-old pest controller several times to the head.
Mr Sowerby fell to the floor and Brady kicked his head, fracturing his jaw.
Prosecutor Peter Sabiston said: ‘The victim’s aim had been to get to a friend’s house where he knew they had security cameras.
‘He got out and shouted for help and that is when he felt a massive blow to the head.
‘The next he recalls is waking up in an ambulance.’
In a victim impact statement, Mr Sowerby said what happened on January 3 last year ‘still haunts’ him.
He said: ‘We had a good day out fishing and it then turned into an absolute nightmare for me and something I don’t think I will ever forget.
‘It has affected me in more ways than I could ever imagine – financially, mentally and physically.’
Brady, of Windmill Terrace, Stockton, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.
Judge Recorder Simon Jackson jailed him for 22 months and banned him from driving for 23 months.
He told him: ‘You are somebody who has an expertise in martial arts and you struck this complainant in a particular way to knock him to the ground knowing that was vulnerable point which allowed you to do that.
‘This was a pursuit which led to serious violence, this was not crass stupidity, it was road-rage intended to cause the fear of violence.’
Mr Sowerby, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, said he was happy to finally see Brady punished after a long delay.
He said: ‘It took 18 months to get to court which I understand because of Covid but the wait took its toll on me.
‘It finally went to court on Friday but I thought the sentence was a bit lenient for what he actually did.
‘I’m not glad anybody is in jail but I am pleased he’s been punished for what he’s done because I nearly died that day.
‘I am recovering but it’s something you can’t forget and it will be with me for the rest of my life, so I have to learn to cope with it.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.