A road rage van driver who assaulted a cyclist has escaped immediate custody. Jack Rawlins turned his van around and chased the rider after the van's wing mirror was clipped in Bedminster, Bristol Crown Court heard.
After cutting in front of the cyclist, knocking him to the road, Rawlins got of his van and punched him in the face. The incident was captured on the cyclist's helmet cam and police were able to track the culprit down.
Rawlins, 30, of Southville, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and dangerous driving after the incident in February. Her Honour Judge Moira Macmillan handed him 24 months' prison, suspended for 24 months.
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Rawlins was ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work. He was banned from driving for two years, told to pass an extended driving test and pay £500 compensation.
The court heard the cyclist was on Wingfield Road when the wing mirror of Rawlins' van was clipped. As the victim cycled towards Wedmore Vale, Rawlins overtook and cut in front of him at a junction.
The cyclist's helmet cam captured the moment when Rawlins got out of his van and punched him in the face. He then drove off.
Police were assisted by witnesses and the footage and were able to track the defendant down, the court heard. Rawlins' previous convictions included a similar assault on a cyclist in 2017, the court heard.
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