'Red mist' motorist gets suspended jail term over Telford road assault

Jonathan Frost, 33, narrowly avoided being immediately jailed for "a disproportionate and unjustified" attack on Stephen Reynolds at a junction near the near the M54 in Telford.

He had previously denied the offence, but changed to a plea of guilty ahead of a trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Frost admitted assaulting a person thereby causing them actual bodily harm on June 8, 2019.

Miss Katie Fox, prosecuting barrister, said: "He was in a white BMW. The victim noticed that the defendant was making gestures and mouthing towards him. Mr Reynolds got out of his car to speak to him.

"The defendant then ran at him and immediately punched him repeatedly on the head.

"Mr Reynolds says he remembers little of it. His wife describes that the defendant was punching him.

"Passing motorist Donna Gray describes seeing the defendant holding Mr Reynolds in a headlock. He tries to fight back. He is then dragged to the footbridge. Mr Reynolds breaks free, but dropped to the floor and is again punched.

"The defendant's father who had been in the car got out and pulled him away. Frost threw a shoe at the victim and managed to throw a final punch to Mr Reynold's face. He was seen smirking before driving off through red lights.

"Donna Gray, who had already phoned the police to report the incident, followed him to his home address which she gave to the police," Miss Fox said.

Injuries

She said following his arrest the father-of-three co-operated with the officers, but claimed he had acted in self-defence.

The court heard that Frost had previous convictions including two for violence and served four months detention as a juvenile for the first offence.

Sentencing the production manager Judge Anthony Lowe said: "This was a disproportionate assault and there was no sense in it. You must have seen that he was much older than you and no physical match.

"Some sort of red mist came over you that day and you have got to put strategies in place to prevent you from behaving in this way."

Mr Reynolds was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital by ambulance where he was treated for five head cuts and a shoulder injury that took 11 months to heal.

The court heard that Frost had a difficult childhood and went off the rails.

Mr Mike Tanney, defending, said: "It was indeed a disproportionate and unjustified assault. He does offer an unreserved apology to Mr Reynolds."

For the assault Frost, of Synders Way, Lawley, was jailed for 18 months suspended for two years.

He was made subject to a curfew on his days off with immediate effect until August.

He must pay £3,000 compensation to Mr Reynolds, costs £2,800 and the victims' surcharge.