Dad and son chased in four-mile terror drive
Jun 20 2009 by Linda Richards, The Journal
A FURIOUS BMW driver pursued a man and his teenage son during a four-mile terror ride.
At one point the 14-year-old boy pleaded with his father to drive through red lights to escape enraged Ashley Jaggers.
The £45,000-a-year oil industry worker erupted because he believed the dad had cut him up.
He followed the man's Ford Focus through Gateshead, flashing his lights, tailgating him and waving his fist. Twice he got out of his car to challenge him.
The first time, the victim managed to get away when traffic lights changed and on the second, the road rage incident was witnessed by two police community support officers who stepped in.
After admitting causing harassment, alarm and distress, 50-year-old Jaggers, of Aboyne Square, Sunderland, was fined £735 with £68 costs and ordered to pay the victim £100 compensation.
Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, told Gateshead magistrates the incident started on the A184 in Gateshead.
Jaggers, he said, claimed the Ford Focus cut him up near Testo’s roundabout. He drove up behind the car, flashing his lights and tailgating.
The victim pulled over to let him overtake, but when Jaggers pulled behind him, he drove off.
But Jaggers followed, waving his fist and pointing.
At traffic flights at Heworth, Mr Wardlaw said Jaggers got out of his car and approached the other driver aggressively but the lights changed and the dad drove off.
At one stage, the victim phoned police for advice and was told to drive to Gateshead police station.
He had to stop again at red lights on Felling bypass at the junction with Shearlegs Road where Jaggers again got out of his BMW.
Mr Wardlaw said the Focus didn't have central locking and the father held on to the door because he feared Jaggers was going to open it.
His terrified son screamed for his dad to drive off, despite the lights being red.
But police officers saw the incident and brought it to a stop.
Philippa Wylie, defending, said it was an isolated incident and Jaggers doesn't accept the version of events.
She said: "He is deeply remorseful of his actions. He over-reacted and he fully accepts that.
"He realises the distress he caused the other driver and his son, he accepts that but can't turn the clock back.’’
