I'm no road-rage pensioner says 77 year-old after his driving ban is overturned

A DISABLED Yorkshire pensioner who admitted assaulting a cyclist in a road rage incident has had his driving ban overturned, and says he pleaded guilty to the charge only because he was going on holiday.
Brian McDonald was involved in an altercation with a cyclist and is now appealing the assault charge against himBrian McDonald was involved in an altercation with a cyclist and is now appealing the assault charge against him
Brian McDonald was involved in an altercation with a cyclist and is now appealing the assault charge against him

Brian McDonald, 77, who says he is “no road-rage pensioner” was given a 12-month driving ban after pleading guilty to assaulting a 26-year-old cyclist last month.

Scarborough Magistrates’ Court heard Mr McDonald had called the police after an altercation with a cyclist, and needed hospital treatment for an injured finger.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr McDonald’s driving ban was quashed after he took his case to York Crown Court last week.

Mr McDonald, of Doncaster, said: “I was very upset by it all - the only reason I pleaded guilty was because I thought it was a minor offence.

“They were talking about having a trial in September, but I go away with my wife to Spain then and we go every year.

“I just wanted it over with - I thought I would just get a fine of about £75.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“My wife and I were very upset by it because we are both disabled and need the car to be able to get to hospital appointments.”

Magistrates also ordered him to pay a £220 fine, £85 in court costs and £150 compensation to the cyclist.

But when York Crown Court overturned the ruling, he was told he would not have to pay anything to the man he was convicted of assaulting.

However, the assault conviction still stands.

Speaking about the aftermath of the incident, Mr McDonald said: “I gave one statement to the police that day and went to Scarborough police station to give another the next day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was then that they said I was charged with assault - I could have dropped through the floor.”

Adding: “This has damaged my reputation no end - I’ve been a reputable chap all my life and I never expected something like this to happen.”

Mr McDonald said he is now determined to appeal his assault conviction and restore his reputation over the incident, which happened in Scarborough earlier this year.

Mr McDonald says he did not assault the cyclist and claims he only pleaded guilty to avoid a trial on a date when he planned to go on holiday.

Lawyers confirmed that Mr McDonald’s driving ban had been lifted.

Recorder Eric Duff quashed both the driving ban and compensation order - but the fine and prosecution costs still remain.