Man drove into traffic warden (From Gazette Series)

Man drove into traffic warden

AN enraged motorist who twice drove his car into a traffic warden in Berkeley when she told him he could not park on double yellow lines will have to pay her £1,000 compensation, a judge has ordered.

David Chappell, 50, parked his Rover car illegally on double-yellow lines in Canonbury Street on November 2 last year. He was approached by warden Diana Steadman and after arguing with her, Chappell rammed his car into Mrs Steadman breaking her leg and causing horrendous injuries.

Chappell, of Forest View Road, Berkeley, was given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years after admitting recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutor Christopher Jervis told Gloucestershire Crown Court on Monday: "There was a heated conversation about whether he should be issued with a ticket or not.

"Mrs Steadman was forced to stand in front of his vehicle when he got into it and started revving the engine.

"He then reversed back about four car lengths and then drove forward, colliding with the traffic warden. She was stunned and remained in the road. The defendant reversed his car again and drive forward towards her a second time.

"He collided with her a second time, but Mrs Steadman was able to use her personal radio to call for assistance. She was taken into a local shop and comforted."

She was then taken to Stroud hospital where she was found to have a displaced leg fracture, said Mr Jervis.

"She has questioned whether she should return to work - she knows that traffic wardens are not well-liked and does have moments of self-doubt about her position," Mr Jervis said.

Her marriage had also suffered because she had been housebound for a time, Mr Jervis said.

Tim Evans, defending, said: "He was unaware that he had hit the traffic warden - it was reckless, not intentional."

Judge Jamie Tabor QC told Chappell: "You were driving a motor car at a time when it came into contact with a traffic warden who was doing no more than her duty, which is to stop people parking where they shouldn't.

"You struck her with enough force for her to receive a broken leg.

"I have to make it plain to members of the public that traffic wardens must be protected and allowed to go about their work without being assaulted.

"You caused very serious injuries to her which affected her life and her marriage."

In addition to the £1,000 compensation order and the suspended jail term Chappell will have to attend anger management classes and was disqualified from driving for two years.