Cyclist with knife jailed over Telford road-rage attack
A cyclist who attacked a car driver and threatened to "cut him" with a craft knife in a road rage attack in Telford has been jailed.
Alexander Hassell had lunged at the victim and wrestled him to the ground during the altercation in King Street, Wellington, in March this year.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday 35-year-old Hassell was jailed for eight months.
Recorder Peter Rouch QC told Hassell that he had been "out of control" and his behaviour frightened victim Jason O'Neill and members of the public who witnessed it.
Hassell, of Glebe Street, Wellington, had admitted affray, being in possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.
The court heard that there had been a near miss between Mr O'Neill's car and the defendant who was on a pedal cycle at the junction of Mill Street and Kings Street.
Mr Timothy Harrington, prosecuting, said that the defendant had ridden on but was weaving across the carriageway preventing Mr O'Neill from passing him.
He said that Hassell then stopped, threw his bike to the ground, and aimed a kick at Mr O'Neill's car causing £250 damage to a door and wing mirror.
Mr Harrington said that the defendant lunged at Mr O'Neill and the pair were wrestling on the floor.
"Mr O'Neill had been holding the defendant when Hassell was shouting that he would "cut him" and he would "stab him". Mr O'Neill was trying to restrain the defendant," said Mr Harrington.
The court heard that Hassell had produced a craft knife from his pocket and was still making threats as Mr O'Neill knocked the weapon from his hand. Hassell also had lock knife and some members of the public who were nearby were told they would "also be stabbed".
Miss Debra White, for Hassell, said her client accepted he had reacted angrily and regretted his behaviour.
