Dad rammed Mercedes after being kicked and punched in road rage attack

A heated exchange on a Midlands' D-road resulted in two men getting out of their vehicles
-Credit:Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel


Almost £10,000 worth of damage was caused to a Mercedes when two men 'took leave of their senses' during a road rage incident. A heated exchange on a Midlands' D-road resulted in two men getting out of their vehicles on the A500 for a 'stand-off'.

Van driver Ray Gong ended up on the floor after taking a beating from the Mercedes driver. But the 54-year-old then got back in his car and reversed his van three times at speed into the Mercedes, StokeonTrentLive reports.

Gong, of Derby Road, Ashbourne, pleaded guilty to damaging property following the incident in Stoke on June 4, 2022. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

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Prosecutor Matthew Wyatt told the court Gong was behind the wheel of a white Citroen Berlingo van when he became involved in a dispute with another motorist. Both men braked sharply and got out of their vehicles.

Mr Wyatt said: "There was an altercation between them and the defendant ended up on the floor. The defendant got up and returned to his vehicle. He reversed three times into the Mercedes."

The Mercedes cost £9,262.06 to repair, the court heard. The insurance company would not pay out as the driver did not have fully comprehensive cover. The vehicle was owned by his 'innocent' partner, who was a passenger at the time.

Caroline Harris, mitigating, told the court: "Neither driver covered themselves in glory. The defendant made admissions about his own behaviour. He said he was gesticulating to the other driver in response to him gesturing towards him. The defendant suffered a serious injury."

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Gong, a widower, had felt a slight touch to his van and his son, a passenger, was projected forward, Miss Harris said. She added: "This was an action of stupidity and was out of character."

Both men 'took leave of their senses' and should be 'ashamed of themselves', according to Recorder Robert Smith. He told Gong he must pay £3,000 compensation to the owner of the Mercedes.

The recorder said: "It was on the A500 by Sideway roundabout, an exceptionally busy piece of road. You and the other driver got yourselves in a stand-off. It is said fingers were put up to one another, gesticulations made on both sides. Both vehicles pulled over. You got out of your van, as did he. There was a confrontation at the roadside.

"From the evidence he gave you a damn good hiding. He punched and kicked you while on the floor. He went well beyond what was reasonable and left you with injuries which still plague you to this day. What you did next beggars belief. You got back in your van and deliberately reversed at speed three times into the vehicle owned by an innocent woman. She has had to repair the car that you damaged. You then drove off."