Man attacked driver in road rage attack

Jack Carrick, 21, of Manor Road, Bexhill, attacked Edward Adams after the latter accidentally sounded his car horn at him as they were queuing up at the Kentucky Fried Chicken drive-thru store in Ravenside Retail Park.

Prosecutor Mark Kateley said: "The victim was with his friend at the resaturant and the defendant was in front of them in his Mazda.

"At some point Mr Adams accidentally hit the horn of his car which caused the defendant to be unhappy but the victim apologised saying it was an accident.

"But later the defendant got out of his vehicle and approached the car the victim and his friend were in. He seemed to be carrying a wooden bat.

"The defendant struck Mr Adams in the face with his fist punching him through the driver's window, causing it to shatter.

"Some of the glass went into the face of his friend.

"Mr Adams was left with swelling to his right cheekbone. Luckily there were no injuries caused to his friend.

"When the defendant was interviewed he declined to make any comment."

Carrick appeared before Hastings magistrates on Monday and pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and causing 200 worth of criminal damage.

The incident happened on July 6.

Mark Glendenning, defending, said: "The defendant disputes that he had any weapon at all. The assault was purely carried out by his fist.

"He says he hit the window with his fist because he was extremely annoyed."

Magistrates adjourned the case until December 15 so pre-sentence reports could be carried out.