Dad punched driver to floor in brutal A34 road rage attack in front of his kids

Motorist Stephen Cartwright broke an elderly man's jaw in a horrific road rage attack witnessed by his children.

The 41-year-old lost his cool after a pensioner pulled out in front of him on the A34 at Trent Vale.They both got out of their vehicles. Cartwright punched his victim and knocked him to the ground before getting in his car and driving off.North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the man, who has numerous health issues including type-two diabetes and hepatitis B, was left with a fractured jaw.

Now Cartwright has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay his victim £1,350 compensation.

Prosecutor Joanne Fox said the 'road rage dispute' happened on September 5 last year on the A34 at Trent Vale.

Miss Fox said: "The injured party was an elderly man. He pulled out in front of Cartwright. Cartwright took issue with that. He followed him to close proximity and pulled over."Both men got out. They remonstrated. Cartwright punched the man and knocked him to the ground. He suffered a broken jaw."In a victim statement the man said he suffered pain to his jaw and neck. His hip was bruised and his leg was grazed.

The assault and injury affected his sleep which left him feeling exhausted during the day.He has had numerous trips to hospital.

The statement read: "It has had a negative impact on my mental health. I am a driver for a living.

"The first time I got in the minibus I started shaking. The assault was replaying in my mind."He said he has had to go on a soft diet. He added his glasses were damaged in the assault and he has had to have counselling.

Cartwright, of Aylesbury Road, Bentilee, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.Jason Holt, mitigating, said the incident happened near Tesco in Trent Vale. He said: "Two lanes merge into one.

"The complainant appears to have pulled out after the lights into the left lane. He blocked my client's path. He could not go anywhere."The complainant was the first person to get out of the vehicle. The bottom line is there was a manoeuvre which he was wrong in doing.

"There was an indication from Cartwright about his disapproval about his manoeuvre. The complainant stopped his vehicle and got out.

"There is independent evidence he raised his arms."Cartwright accepts he should not have got out and confronted him. He acknowledges the wrongdoing in that."It was a single blow. He turned and left the scene. The only way he could leave the scene was to go over the kerb and drive off. He was stopped by police minutes later."Mr Holt said Cartwright was immediately concerned about his victim and said he was sorry. His partner and children were in the car.Mr Holt said: "He can't believe he acted in the way he did. He is 41 and has no previous convictions.

"He is not a violent man. He hopes to marry his partner next year. She describes how this is totally out of character for him. He is a family man, a hard worker, trusted, loyal and honest."He acknowledges he did wrong but wants it to be put into the context of the reality of the situation that occurred that day.

"It was excessive self-defence, impulsive and spontaneous."As part of the suspended sentence Cartwright must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and 150 hours unpaid work.District Judge Ian Barnes said: "It was a needless and senseless incident. People often when they get into vehicles their personality seems to change."The independent witness saw the victim pull in front of your vehicle and he got out first. However, you got out and punched him."Clearly your frustration and anger got the better of you and you struck him with force.

"You did not need to get out of the car. You punched him with such force he fell to the ground and suffered a fractured jaw.

"You very quickly regretted your actions. When the police approached you, you were clearly remorseful and were asking as to the welfare of your victim. That remorse does appear to be genuine."You have no previous convictions, you have a good work ethic, you have family commitments, and you are well thought of. I have to bear in mind the effect prison will have on your family and children.

"There is a very realistic prospect of rehabilitation."