A man from Gateshead who deliberately drove at a man who was attacking his father to protect him amid a violent street brawl has avoided immediate jail time.
Alex Bamling drove his Mazda at a man on Gateshead’s riverside South Shore Road, near the Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art, at around 9pm on Sunday, April 18, 2021.
The 23-year-old along with his father and brother came across a group of males in the Millennium Bridge car park in Gateshead. A fight broke out between the two groups with some of the males wielding glass bottles.
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His actions were captured on the mobile phones of several witnesses who watched the shocking scenes unfold. Prosecutor Nicoleta Alistari said Bamling drove towards the group and hit one of the males.
She told Newcastle Crown Court on Monday: "The defendant's brother was on the floor and his father was also attacked, being hit in the face. The defendant made off to the car park, got into his car, and drove towards the fight, straight towards the group of males.
"He hit one of the males and caused him to fall on the bonnet. He drove a second time towards the group of males who avoided it by getting behind some bollards and down a stairwell."
The court heard how the man suffered a graze on his hand and blood was "coming from his mouth". He was taken to hospital but Miss Alistari said the man "refused to cooperate with police", so the full extent of his injuries was not clear.
Bamling, of Bramling Court, Gateshead, who has one previous conviction for three offences, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
Defending Andrew Rutter, said this was an "exceptional case" where Bamling was driven "purely and simply" by the need to protect his father who the court heard had a number of operations on his brain. Mr Rutter said his father was struck by a bottle and if that blow was "six inches higher he could have died".
Mr Rutter said: "It was planned as a pleasant and enjoyable day out for a father and his two sons. They were to explore Newcastle and see the sights on the scooters you can hire.
"How the day worsened and descended into violence can be seen by the witnesses his father and his brother. They were being peacemakers and they were subjected to an attack and subjected to violence by a group who were armed with bottles.
"The defendant was set upon and was hit with a bicycle seat which caused him injuries and stunned him. His father was hit with a bottle and the defendant's concern was his father who has an eggshell skull and has had a number of brain operations.
"Had the blow with the bottle been six inches higher it could have killed him. That was the defendant's main concern. He cannot fight, he took an impulsive decision to get into his car, he felt he couldn't protect his father in any other way than driving at his father's assailant. This is an exceptional case, the defendant being driven purely and simply to protect his father who was in need of protection."
Mr Rutter also suggested the victim's refusal to cooperate with police was down to fears he and his group would also be prosecuted and said he was "very fortunate" not to be. He also said the delays in the case caused Bamling "anxiety" and "sleepless nights".
Judge Tim Gittins decided not to send Bamling straight to prison and instead handed him a suspended sentence. He told him: "I accept that you were extremely unsure of how to protect your father and rescue your brother. Ultimately, you chose the wrong way of doing it. It's thankfully a miracle that that man you struck was not more seriously injured or killed."
Bamling was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended by 18 months and was disqualified from driving for two years. He was also required to complete 35 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work.
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