A rush hour driver took up a ‘Bruce Lee stance’ an
A rush hour driver took up a ‘Bruce Lee stance’ and felled a ‘terrified’ motorist with a series of kung-fu style kicks, a jury heard today.
(Wed)
Shocked commuters stalled in heavy traffic watched the ‘road rage’ violence as tempers flared on a May evening.
London’s Southwark Crown Court heard alleged victim Greg Knight was nearing the end of his journey home to Rickmansworth from just outside Southend when the attack took place.
The 40-year-old said as he left dual carriageway he was caught behind a line of vehicles, Derek Holness pulling up alongside.
‘He suddenly jumped out of his car.
At this point I knew I was in trouble because there was nowhere I could go,’ said Mr Knight.
‘His manner was aggressive, bordering on violent.
It terrified me.
‘
The frightened driver grabbed a metal-headed mallet in the hope of scaring off Holness, only to be told by the defendant: ‘I’ll have you.
‘
Mr Knight said the hammer was part of a kit for a ‘bouncy castle’ earlier used in the street party and was in the car to be returned to its owner.
He denied he intended to use it as a weapon, adding: ‘I had my hands up and shouted ”enough, stop it”.
But he said as he turned to go back to his vehicle, Holness attacked.
‘He took a Bruce Lee stance, he just came towards me with this Bruce Lee thing.
.
.
he started with these Bruce Lee style karate kicks, his feet were coming head high.
‘
He said he managed to fend off ‘a couple’ of the kicks but alleged Holness then ‘lunged forward’ and ‘smothered’ him as they both fell to the ground, the hammer sliding away across the tarmac.
Mr Knight said he managed to crawl to the hammer, trapping it safely underneath his body as he suffered more violence from his attacker.
‘It was just a whole barrage of beating.
.
.
he was on my back and had his hands around my neck,’ he said.
‘He got off and kicked me, I felt this almighty pain.
‘
He said he managed to get up and return to his car, throwing the mallet into the footwell but before he could climb inside, he said Holness ran up and blocked him ‘and just started slamming the car door against me.
‘
Mr Knight said he did manage to slide into the driver’s seat but as he went to close the door, it was yanked open with enough force to leave him sat holding the handle.
He managed to close and lock the door but as he ‘phoned police ‘there was a bang and I was showered with glass’ as Holness punched through the window.
And he alleged the attacker said: ‘I don’t think you really want to call the police.
.
.
you must have bald tyres and no road tax.
‘
But he claimed Holness then blurted out: ‘I am sorry, I have to leave, I have got an urgent appointment’.
Holness returned to his car but was trapped by other drivers boxing in the vehicle.
The court heard the victim was left with a fractured rib, cuts and bruises and the skin scraped off both knees – one later becoming infected.
Holness, 29, of Pinner Road, Northwood Mills, Mddx, denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray and damaging property on May 14 this year.
Jane Bickerstaff, prosecuting, said the incident ‘what is commonly known as road rage’ took place after the victim noticed an ‘impatient’ driver trying to get passed him after he left the M25 at junction 18.
She said in his rear view mirror, Mr Knight watched the car ‘appear to be right up his back bumper, going from side to side to get an opportunity to get around
and away.
‘
Miss Bickerstaff said Holness ‘became agitated’ over the amount of traffic because he could not overtake.
She said the ‘loutish’ violence took place when the victim was stopped by other vehicles on a slip road and Holness pulled alongside.
The trial continues.
ends
