A driver assaulted a 75-year-old man in his car in a road rage incident which left the victim feeling "frightened". The attacker was on his way back to work when took exception to the victim "obeying the speed limit".
Nathan Bonetto-Jones, 31, assaulted pensioner Adrian Burm in Talbot Green on August 12, 2021, a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard on Wednesday. The victim was with his wife at the time of the attack, which left Mr Burm in pain. He was take to hospital where he received stitches to his ear.
The defendant, of Marlborough Close, Llantwit Fardre, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and careless driving. He was of previous good character.
Read more: Get the latest court cases sent to your email inbox with our Crime & Punishment newsletter
In a victim personal statement Mr Burm said: "In my 75 years I have never until this incident been physically attacked. To say I was in shellshock is an understatement. The attack on myself was totally unprovoked and I didn't deserve to be treated this way – I had done nothing wrong. It not only had an emotional effect on me but my family. My wife Carol was with me – she was so upset and still sheds tears to this day... Carol thought I could have killed due to what she witnessed.
"I was left in pain for a number of weeks and was taking painkillers to ease my pain and for pain caused by my arthritis. There was pain to my ear where I had to have stitches.... I'm very nervous when driving my car. To think this incident started because I was obeying the speed limit on road frightens me. It frightens me the way I was driving angered someone to the extent they would attack me in broad daylight. I am grateful to the people who stopped and helped me and my wife. If they had not stopped it could have been far more serious."
The court heard there had been a two-year delay in the case reaching a conclusion as a result of Covid-19 and the barristers' strike, which was said by defence barrister Andrew Davies to have a "considerable impact" on Bonetto-Jones. He has had to stop working due to his mental health and if sent to prison would lose his home and occupation.
Recorder Christian Jowett sentenced Bonetto-Jones to nine months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. The defendant was made subject to a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, must complete 225 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £750 in compensation and £250 in costs.
Bonetto-Jones subsequently appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, July 4, where the careless driving charge was vacated. The assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge still stands and the sentence remains unchanged.
You can sign up to our regular Crime and Punishment newsletter here while this interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area:
