‘Road rage’ motorist punched ‘vulnerable’ man with learning difficulties after ignoring road closure in Spalding

A motorist who punched a man with learning difficulties following a ‘road rage’ incident has been ordered to seek help.

Nathan Large must complete 30 rehabilitation days during the course of an 18-month community order and pay out £300 in compensation to his victim, a court ordered.

The incident took place at around 2pm on November 28 last year as the 42-year-old defendant mounted the kerb and drove on some grass in an attempt to get round a road closure on Spalding’s Commercial Road.

Prosecutor Shelley Wilson told Boston magistrates that the victim - who she described as having ‘learning difficulties’ and ‘living in supportive accommodation’ - had taken a seat on a bench by the riverbank and was engaging in conversation with nearby construction workers before Large’s silver Ford Fiesta approached.

“The defendant started driving onto grass to drive around a road closure,” she added.

“He drove until parking near the pub on Commercial Road. He got out the vehicle and started walking (towards the victim).”

Ms Wilson said the victim could tell Large was ‘angry by his facial expressions’.

The court was told the defendant punched the victim to the right side of his head with a closed fist, leaving the victim with pain, dizziness and a bloodied nose, as well as a fractured elbow after he fell to the concrete.

A witness statement from a construction worker described the victim as ‘around 5ft 7in’ and ‘in his 50s’.

In police interview, Large, of Willow Walk, Spalding, said he acted in self defence after the victim stepped out in front of his vehicle and hit the car with a stick.

However, Ms Wilson said this was not in keeping with the victim and witness statements.

“There people are strangers and there is clearly an issue of road rage here,” she added.

“There is no suggestion of aggression on behalf of the victim, who is clearly quite vulnerable.”

Magistrates were told Large had 56 previous convictions, five for assault between 2005 and 2020 - the last of which saw him jailed for 15 months.

In defence, Lewis Troughton said his client was reliant on universal credit because he was unable to work due to mental health problems, asking the probation service to make help available for the defendant.

“Mr Large is adamant that was he said in interview is correct,” he continued.

“He has shown remorse during interview and said to me if he was able to take a second to think about what went on, he wouldn’t have reacted like he did.

“Mr Large has a history, but it’s been five years since his last offence. Five years for someone with his chequered past is good.”