Driver back from France and in court three years after road rage incident
A man was arrested when he returned to Britain after living in France for three years – because of a road rage incident dating back to 2012.
Dylan Simon Barry, 22, didn't realise the seriousness of the charges he was facing when he left the country, magistrates were told.
Barry, who is now living in Arddleen, near Llanymynech, faced charges of using threatening, abusive or insulting words, using a car in a condition likely to cause danger or injury, failing to answer police bail, and failing to comply with a community order.
Three of the charges stemmed from one incident on the A495 between Welshpool and Guilsfield on September 14, 2012, when Barry got into a confrontation with Mr Steven Pearce.
At a hearing in Welshpool, prosecutor Mrs Helen Tench said: "Mr Pearce was driving along the A495 when he saw a silver Citroen Saxo sticking out of the junction and had to move out to avoid it. As he did, the driver stuck two fingers up at him and then followed him, flashing his lights."
Mrs Tench said Mr Pearce stopped and Barry stopped behind him, but when Mr Pearce asked why he had flashed at him, Barry replied by swearing and getting aggressive.
Barry had been staying in France and said he had no idea that he was facing any charges.
He admitted all the charges at an earlier hearing.
Magistrates sentenced him to complete 200 hours on a community order within 12 months and added three points to his driving licence.
