“You acted like an utter idiot then tried to spin a pathetic story”

Sunday 12 June 2022

Judge McKerrell labelled a man “an utter idiot” when sentencing him for dangerous driving and criminal damage.

Alec Arnold received a three-year driving ban and fines totaling £1,000 after driving his car into a cyclist, causing over £3,000 of damage to a mountain bike.

Arnold disputed the estimation of the repair costs and initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of criminal damage, although entered a guilty plea for dangerous driving.

Pictured: The incident took place at New Road, St Sampson on 21 July 2021.  

Judge McKerrell had presided over the subsequent trial, which found Arnold guilty of causing criminal damage during the incident on 21 July 2021. 

“I recall that I was completely satisfied at trial that you deliberately drove at the bike, and I am still absolutely certain that was your intent,” he said. 

“You acted like an utter idiot and then tried to spin a pathetic story that it was the angle of the road, and not your deliberate actions, which caused your vehicle to hit the bike. I would have been embarrassed to submit that story as my defence. 

“You intended to harass and frighten the victim and, in doing so, used your vehicle as a weapon which was completely wrong and utterly unacceptable.”

A victim impact statement was read to the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday [9 June]. The statement detailed the lasting psychological impact of the incident on both the victim and the victim’s eight-year-old daughter, who witnessed the event. 

Arnold’s advocate, Chris Green, said that Arnold had been moved by the victim impact statement and that he wanted to “sincerely apologise” for his standard of driving. 

In response to Advocate Green’s comment that no physical harm had been caused in the incident, Judge McKerrell stated that “mental harm can be more damaging than physical harm”. 

Pictured: Damaged estimated to exceed £3,000 was caused to a GT Force mountain bike. 

Advocate Green stated that, at the time of the incident, Arnold was in an “emotional state”, had low blood sugar and that “there was a sense of urgency” for Arnold to get home to take medication for the physical health symptoms he was experiencing.

Judge McKerrell noted that Arnold was of “previous good character”.

“I cannot give you credit for the criminal damage as it was necessary to go to trial, but I note that you have no previous convictions,” he said. 

Arnold was fined £500 for each offence and disqualified from driving for three years. 

Judge McKerrell added: “Your actions are completely unforgiveable. I am limited in my sentencing options and, taking your financial circumstances into account, this fine is way lower than I would otherwise impose.”