Road rage lorry driver lost his temper in the rush hour

A lorry driver who head-butted a taxi driver in a road rage attack was let off with a suspended jail sentence.

Carlos Martinez, 47, flew into a rage in rush hour traffic on Lower Thames Street in the City of London last November 3.

Martinez got out his HGV wrenched open the taxi door and head-butted Behar Molla at the junction with Monument Street.

Mr Molla was taking a passenger to City Airport when Martinez’s HGV pulled up behind him.

Martinez was incensed at the delays and stared sounding his horn and remonstrating with Mr Molla.

He opened his door at a set of traffic lights and began shouting abuse at Mr Molla, Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court heard.

‘At the next opportunity he got out of his vehicle opened the taxi door, grabbed Mr Molla by the arms and head-butted the taxi driver,’ said prosecutor Amanda McCabe.

Mr Molla suffered minor injuries to his head.

He managed to take a photo of the HGV and his injuries.

‘The passenger in the taxi gave evidence previously that Martinez had demanded Mr Molla get out the taxi,’ said Ms McCabe.

Martinez shouted through window: ‘Get out the taxi I’m going to smash your face in.’

He denied assault by beating but was found guilty after trial at Hammersmith Magistrates Court.

Sentencing Martinez, Magistrate Nina Toller said: ‘We are sending you to prison for a total of eight weeks.

‘However, the sentence will be suspended on condition you are not convicted of an offence in the next 12 months.’

‘You will also have to undertake 40 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months.

‘If you break this requirement or make another offence you should expect a prison sentence.’

Martinez, of (5) Caldew Avenue, Gillingham, was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for a year for assault by beating.

He will have to complete 40 hours unpaid work and pay £750 costs including £50 compensation to Mr Molla.