A furious van driver who put another motorist into a headlock before holding plastic cutlery to his throat has been sentenced for the shocking road rage attack. Craig Hatch, a self-employed joiner, turned nasty after a minor car bumped between him and another road user on Kirk Brae in Edinburgh on July 6, 2021.
Dash cam footage captured the moment the 42-year-old’s red van knocked into the back of another motor before both men got out of their vehicles to inspect the damage. Hatch was filmed saying: “What are you getting upset about? I’m all insured don’t worry. It was an accident, my foot slipped off the brake.”
But he saw red when asked if he had been on his mobile phone at the time and began screaming: “No I wasnae on the f****** phone. Don’t you f****** shout at me then you f****** p**** or I’ll f****** knock you out right now you f****** a*******.”
The video footage recorded the moment Hatch grabbed the man by the neck and held him down against the back of his car while brandishing the plastic fork.
He then throws the man, who has asked not to be named, onto the pavement while continuing his sweary tirade of abuse while hitting him. The victim managed to get back onto his feet and got into his motor before calling police.
Hatch continued to shout through the open window of his van and said: "Make sure you tell the f****ng truth, you don't need to worry though I have insurance," he shouted.
Speaking today, the victim said: "It was meant to be a quick trip to the grocery, but turned out to be a nightmare. I only asked him about using his phone but could not have predicted his reaction and things escalated quickly.
"I did not want to engage in any confrontation as I was worried for the safety of myself and my little son, who had to witness the incident from his rear-facing seat. The unprovoked attack left us both very distressed."
Hatch admitted assaulting the man to his injury when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month. He was fined £240 and ordered to pay the victim £400 in compensation.
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