Yahoo News Terrifying A50 road rage incident ends with passenger pointing gun at woman
A road rage incident on the A50 in Stoke-on-Trent ended with a passenger pointing a BB gun at a motorist. Mercea Ilie, aged 30, saw red following an incident between two cars at a slip road.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he made an offensive hand gesture at the woman driving the other car and spat at her through her open window with his spittle landing on her cheek. After exiting the A50 and reaching a set of traffic lights, he pointed a black handgun at her leaving her petrified and fearing for her life.
The car he was in drove off but was tracked by police and he was detained by firearms officers. Now Ilie has been jailed for 10 months.
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Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said a woman was driving a Ford Fiesta at 5pm on September 10, 2023 and had her partner in the car with her. She drove on to the slip road of the A50 but she had to slow down to allow another vehicle to pass before she could join.
Miss Cortese: "The car in front was driving slowly. She drove in the right lane and overtook that vehicle. She decided to return to the left lane. However the driver of the other vehicle accelerated.
"She looked in the mirror and saw the passenger made a gesture and he stuck his middle and index fingers up at her. She took the exit and drove towards Draycott. The other vehicle took the same route.
"At traffic lights she slowed down. The other vehicle went in the right lane. The defendant put his head out of the vehicle and spat at the woman's cheek. The phlegm landed on her right cheek.
"At the traffic lights the defendant got out and walked towards her vehicle. Realising it contained female occupants he returned to his vehicle. When the lights turned to green the car he was in remained still. He spat at the woman again. That landed on the front windscreen.
"She looked at the defendant. She saw him holding a black handgun which he pointed directly at her. She said she feared for her life. The other vehicle sped away."
The court heard the matter was reported to the police. Officers stopped the vehicle on Cheadle Road. It was searched and the black BB handgun and a tub of BB pellets was recovered.
In a victim statement the woman said she can't stop thinking what might have happened. Her partner has suffered nightmares and struggles to sleep.
Ilie, of Etruria Vale Road, Etruria, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault by beating.
Anis Ali, mitigating, said Ilie is embarrassed and ashamed. Mr Ali said: "He is disgusted at the despicable nature of the conduct he engaged in. He offers no explanation.
"He knows he should have acted differently. He should not have reacted at all. It is behaviour he bitterly regrets. He asks for a chance to demonstrate his commitment and resolve.
"It was an imitation, it wasn't loaded, the ammunition was not utilised, it did not belong to him, it was not discharged, there was no physical injury and no damage. The assault by reason of spitting was disgusting, his phrase, not mine. He has learned his lesson."
Recorder Robert Smith said: "Police were contacted by the victim. She was involved in a road rage incident where a white Kia had cut her up. The passenger, you, spat through an open window hitting her in the face. You then produced a black handgun. She thought it was a real gun. She drove home to safety and called the police.
"Firearms officers were deployed. The vehicle you were in was located at Draycott crossroads. You were detained. A black BB gun and a tub of ball bearings was seized.
"It left your victim absolutely petrified. You committed it in broad daylight, pointing a realistic looking firearm at a member of the public. You are of good character, you have a good work ethic, you pleaded guilty to express absolute genuine remorse.
"The reality is this, if you point what looks like a realistic firearm in broad daylight and cause them to be petrified, these are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate."
The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the firearm and pellets.
