Taxi driver deliberately drove into cyclist who called him ‘fat f***’
A furious taxi driver deliberately drove into a cyclist who slapped his bonnet and called him a "fat f**k" after he drove too close to him.
Paul Doody was "clearly in pain" after his confrontation with Martin Godfrey dramatically escalated in Cardiff on June 27.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Godfrey hit Mr Doody in a "moment of madness" after he drove too close to him on June 27.
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The cyclist knocked the wing mirror which resulted in him being thrown over his handlebars and over a wall, reports WalesOnline.
Mr Godfrey, 57, lost his job as a result of the assault which left the cyclist with minor injuries.
Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said: "The defendant was driving far too close to him giving him no room at all."
When they stopped at traffic lights, Mr Doody's elbow touched the wing mirror of Godfrey's car.
The cyclist then slapped the wing mirror in order to draw the driver's attention to how close his car was to him.
But the defendant continued to drive alongside Mr Doody's bike which the victim found "intimidating".
Mr Bennett said the victim slapped Godfrey's bonnet and they exchanged insults with one another.
Godfrey said: "Don't touch my f***ing car," to which Mr Doody replied: "You're too f***ing close, move away, move the f**k away."
Footage was played of Godfrey pulling to the right before swinging left into Mr Doody and sending him over his handlebars and over a wall.
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Godfrey drove off but returned to the scene of the collision and spoke to witnesses, claiming the victim had attacked him first but was told by a bystander "he hit your vehicle, he didn't hit you".
The police were called and Godfrey appeared agitated, confused and breathless. He told police he drove away because he was "physically unwell" and wanted to avoid a confrontation between him and Mr Doody.
As a result of the assault, Mr Doody suffered tenderness to his left collarbone and left shoulder joint, as well as swelling and reduced movement.
The defendant was interviewed and denied assaulting the victim but he later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and dangerous driving.
The court heard he had previous convictions for wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and failure to surrender.
The defence barrister said it was the "last thing Mr Godfrey wished" to cause injury to Mr Doody.
He said the "mainstay" of his life had been his job as a taxi driver but as a result of this incident, he had lost his job.
Sentencing, Recorder Carl Harrison sentenced Godfrey to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
He was ordered to carry out a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work.
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