A brain-injured man used his van as a weapon to knock someone over, a court heard. But a judge, who recognised Tommy Dunlop's mental impairment, spared him immediate prison as well as a driving ban.
Bristol Crown Court heard Dunlop became embroiled in an argument which erupted between his pal and the dad of his friend's ex-girlfriend. After a violent confrontation in a Weston-super-Mare retail park, Dunlop climbed into his van and drove into the dad, knocking him down and leaving him with minor injuries.
Dunlop, 20, a gardener of Bluebell Path in Haydon Wick, Swindon, pleaded guilty to a attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. Judge Moira Macmillan imposed a two-year prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
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The judge told Dunlop: "You are very fortunate in some ways you are not facing a much more serious charge. You deliberately decided to drive a motor vehicle at another person because of the argument you had."
Dunlop was ordered to have up to 30 days of rehabilitation. He was handed an indefinite restraining order to have no contact with named parties.
Emma Martin, prosecuting, said trouble flared between Dunlop's friend and the dad of the friend's ex-girlfriend. The court heard fighting broke out between people at the scene.
At one stage Dunlop exchanged blows with the dad, Mrs Martin said, and as he left the scene he told the dad: "Watch out, you're going to be dead."
As Dunlop left in his van he deliberately drove at the dad, striking him with the front nearside of the vehicle. Dunlop drove away but returned and was arrested by police who arrived at the scene.
The victim made an impact statement in which he said the incident had impacted massively on his life and caused him to fear for his and his family's safety. He stated: "I'm not sure if I'll ever get over this, I believe Tommy Dunlop wants to kill me, I believe Tommy Dunlop wants to finish me off."
Rupert Russell, defending, said his client had suffered from a brain injury and mental health difficulties. He said Dunlop needed his van both to earn a living as well as the fact he had agoraphobia and found taking public transport an issue.
Mr Russell told the court his remorseful client was taking courses in prison. "He has a desire to make amends to his family who have been very distressed by these proceedings."
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