Attack victim 'scared for his life' ran over man in pub car park
Motorist Michael Peacock failed to stop after hitting a pedestrian in a pub car park. The 60-year-old was the victim of an attack in the Hazelhurst Arms pub, in Biddulph Road, Chell, when someone smashed a glass on his head.
He went to his car but was followed by men. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard he drove away and hit a man who was standing in front of his car. The victim was thrown to the floor and suffered a bruised shin.
Now Peacock has been sentenced to a 12-month community order. Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley said Peacock and others were involved in an altercation which led to him going to his car on June 18, 2022.
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Miss Baddeley said the injured party appeared to go to the car to calm the situation while the defendant was being attacked by two others. Miss Baddeley said: "The victim said he was trying to move the other two away from the defendant.
"The defendant moved away without looking at the victim. The victim clipped his leg which caused him to go over the bonnet of the defendant's vehicle.
"He sustained bruising to his leg but did not need to seek medical attention. The bruising was quite severe.
"The victim said the defendant pulled off really fast and made contact with his legs causing him to fly over the vehicle and land on the floor. He struggled getting to his feet and collapsed on the floor."
Peacock, of Ashlar Close, Fegg Hayes, denied failing to report a road accident; driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident. But he was found guilty of all three charges after a trial.
Alan Dawson, mitigating, said Peacock was the 'designated driver'. Mr Dawson said: "He found himself in a pub. He was attacked. A glass was smashed on top of his head. He left the pub and got in his car. He drove forward in the car park. His friends were still in the pub. At that stage a number of men approached the vehicle. These men were making threats. He was focussed on them.
"A man ran from the nearside of the vehicle, in front of it. The complainant was right in front of the vehicle.
"While focussing on the men, the defendant drove forward. He was scared to death. He drove forward and the man sustained a bruise to his shin.
"The defendant was subjected to threats. He decided to drive on. The court found he should have stopped at the scene, despite being subject to this violence."
Mr Dawson said Peacock had been subjected to abuse and threats since the incident. He said Peacock looks after his dad. He was living in New Zealand but his visa has now been revoked so he can't take his dad there. Mr Dawson asked magistrates not to ban Peacock from the roads as he needs to drive his dad to hospital appointments.
As part of the community order Peacock must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days. Magistrates fined him £60 and ordered him to pay £50 compensation, £250 costs and a £114 surcharge. They handed him nine points on his licence.