Road rage driver fractured pensioner’s eye socket because he stuck to 20mph speed limit

A raging driver punched a ‘courteous’ pensioner and broke three bones in his face after the man obeyed a 20mph speed limit.

Roofer Christopher Shaw, 40, was caught on camera in his rage over Christopher Lavis, 68, sticking to the speed limit and giving way to oncoming traffic.

A court heard the violence was triggered by Lavis’s ‘simple act of courtesy’ by allowing other drivers out into traffic in the 20mph zone.

Roofing company boss Shaw approached Lavis’ car, shouting abuse, and then opened the door to punch him.

Lavis, 68, suffered a broken cheekbone, nose and eye socket in the attack as his wife sat in the passenger seat.

Prosecutor Ben Jones said: ‘Mr Lavis was in his vehicle with his wife when a van drove behind him at speed, beeping its horn and flashing its lights.

‘He pulled over into another street to allow the van to pass and then carry on his way. On approaching the Fox and Hounds pub, he came to a stop to give way to oncoming traffic when the same van appeared behind him.’

At that point, Shaw left his van and opened the driver’s side door of Lavis’s car, beginning to swear at him.

Newport Crown Court heard Lavis felt his nose immediately start to bleed and could taste chips from broken teeth in his mouth.

Shaw – who runs Shaw Roofing in Bridgend – held the door open and continued to shout abuse at his victim.

Mr Lavis was treated at the hospital for the broken bones in his face and also suffered a concussion.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Lavis said: ‘As a 68-year-old frail man, the injuries have taken a considerable toll on my day-to-day life, causing persistent pain, difficulty sleeping and ongoing discomfort.’

He told the court he now used a walking stick as the attack affected his balance and suffered a ‘deep sense of vulnerability’ and has been left unable to drive again.

Shaw, of Bettws, Bridgend, initially told police he had thrown the punch in self-defence but later pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

Derek Gooden, defending, said the attack was ‘entirely out of character’, and his client was ‘remorseful.’

The judge, Paul Lewis KC, said: ‘He has a roofing business that employs people who are dependent on him, he has a family, a niece, and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

‘On balance, by a whisker, it seems to me that although the offence demands a sentence of imprisonment, it is one the court can suspend.’

Judge Lewis told Shaw: ‘What you did that day was inexcusable and unjustified. I accept, however, you are remorseful and ashamed.’

Shaw was handed 12 month suspended sentence and ordered to pay Mr Lavis £1,500 in compensation.

He was also ordered to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 in prosecution costs.