Driver 'taunted' other motorists (From Gazette Series)

Driver 'taunted' other motorists

TEENAGE motoring 'yob' Ian Rudge sent another driver careering into a verge when he clipped him while trying to overtake on the central reservation of the M5, a court heard.

Rudge, 19, of Tuffley Crescent, Gloucester first taunted other motorists into 'undertaking' him by driving at below 60 miles an hour in the fast lane of the M5 between Clevedon and Michaelwood services, Gloucester Crown Court was told last Friday.

Then he shunted David's Watton's Toyota Corolla, sending it rolling and spinning across the other lanes.

Rudge admitted dangerous driving in a Vauxhall Astra on the motorway in Gloucestershire on March 28 last year, as well as driving with defective tyres on that date and using a vehicle when its condition was such that it involved danger of injury to another road user.

Prosecutor Nick Dunne said Rudge had joined the motorway at Clevedon, moving quickly into the fast-lane where he sat doing between just 55 and 60mph.

Other motorists were queuing up behind him in an enraged fashion, while Mr Watton flashed his lights at him to make him aware of what he was doing.

At last frustrated Mr Watton and some other motorists undertook him, Mr Dunne said.

"He made eye contact with Rudge to make it clear what he thought of what he was doing," Mr Dunne said.

By the time the traffic reached Michaelwood services Mr Watton was in the fast lane, but noticed Rudge catching him up fast in lane two.

To prevent Rudge undertaking him Mr Watton tried to move into lane two, but he realised Rudge was going too fast and they were about to collide.

"He moved back to the fast lane but at this point Mr Rudge's Astra swerved to the right and began to overtake on the central reservation - on this stretch the central reservation here is wider than normal - at a speed of 70mph," Mr Dunne said.

"The Astra made it as far as half way past the Corolla but collided with the front wing.

"That caused Mr Watton to lose control and sent his car spinning across the other lanes and onto the bank. It rolled over a number of times eventually coming to rest on the roof."

Mr Watton was not seriously hurt, Mr Dunne said.

Police later found that Rudge's tyres were eroded so badly they were effectively slick.

Recorder Adrian Palmer QC adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report on Rudge, who had no previous driving offences on his record.

"When I read of your yobbish, arrogant and very dangerous driving I expected a list of previous convictions for driving matters - I hope it is a good sign that there are not," Recorder Palmer said.

"You have pleaded guilty to a very serious offence and the miracle is that no one was seriously hurt.

"It is mere good fortune that no one was killed. If they had been you would have been going to prison for a very long time."

Rudge will be sentenced on February 10.