Jailed for road rage at school
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A LANCASHIRE truck driver who mowed down a parent in a road rage incident outside a school has been jailed for 12 months by Manchester Crown Court.
Brian Southgate, of Daffodil Close, Haslingden, had been cleared of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm but was convicted of dangerous driving (CM 1 January).
Gary Steven was run over by Southgate's truck as children were leaving Heap Bridge Primary School in Heywood. Southgate had lost his temper because cars were parked on both sides of the road and he had to stop because another truck was approaching.
Following a roadside row Steven turned to walk back to his car. Southgate almost immediately set off in pursuit and ran him down. Steven spent nine weeks in hospital with a fractured pelvis and a hip joint "smashed like an eggshell" — he is now registered disabled. Southgate has consistently denied hitting Steven deliberately.
After the jury's verdict it was revealed that in 1984 Southgate had punched a motorist after his truck was in collision with the victim's car on the M6.
Jailing Southgate, banning him from driving for five years and ordering that he take an extended test, Judge Penry-Davey told him that his driving fell far below a professional standard, "It is clear you were in a hurry and that you were angry at the outset," Penry-Davey concluded.