Violent road rage motorist spared jail

A motorist who throttled a pedestrian and tried to whip him with his belt in the heat of road rage was spared jail. 

Domingos Goncalves, 34, assaulted Meshack Pond who allegedly stepped out in front of his car, forcing him to brake to avoid a collision.

Goncalves, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, was sentenced at Southwark crown court to 16 weeks in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

“The defendant approached the victim, stood very close and kept shouting and swearing and pushed him three times. 

"The victim said the defendant then went back to his vehicle and as he was doing that removed his belt and swung it towards him.” 

"Mr Pond then moved on, thinking the situation had calmed down. The defendant approached him from behind and assaulted him. He sat on him then, while on top of him, the victims states the defendant tried to strangle him with both hands.” 

Guy Bowden, defending, said pressure of work built up for father-of-one Goncalves, a bus driver for 10 years.