A 58-year-old man accused of digging his nails into another motorist’s face and punching a woman in two separate road rage episodes is to be banned from driving, a High Court judge ordered on Friday.
The prohibition on getting behind the wheel was imposed on painter and decorator Desmond Whitby as he was granted bail.
Mr Justice Maguire said: “It would appear, prima facie, that this man when driving a vehicle can work himself up sufficiently to at least arguably get himself involved in road rage incidents.”
Whitby, of Divis Tower in Belfast, denies two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was first arrested after police became aware of an altercation with another man outside Lisburn PSNI Station on October 27 last year.
The alleged victim was visibly shaking and had blood dripping down his face from a number of open wounds, the court was told.
He claimed to have been driving along Queensway in Dunmurry , when Whitby pulled up alongside in his van and waved at him.
When he put his window down the accused was said to have shouted at him about the speed limit.
Referring to Whitby’s alleged actions, prosecution counsel Kate McKay told the court: “He grabbed his face, digging his nails into the skin.”
She said nail swabs taken from the accused provided a DNA match with the injured party.
Whitby has made a counter claim that he was attacked by the other man he says had been “tailgating” him.
A second alleged bout of road rage occurred at a car park in Lisburn, Co Antrim on June 6 this year.
According to the prosecution Whitby got out of his van at Knockmore Square, approached an aunt and niece in another vehicle and began shouting aggressively.
He allegedly threw a number of hard punches at the younger woman, inflicting a bloodied nose and leaving her dazed.
Opposing bail, Mrs McKay contended: “This man does appear to have a bit of a temper.”
Defence counsel argued that Whitby should be released because the case is to be dealt with in the magistrates’ court, where a lesser sentence would be imposed for any conviction. Granting bail, the judge also barred him from entering Lisburn or contacting either complainant.
For more of today's top stories in Belfast and beyond, click here.
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
