Yeovil driver threatened man with hammer after horn incident

The defendant, Paul Turpin, 67, of Herblay Close, Yeovil, Somerset, appeared in Taunton Crown Court on Thursday, September 17 of this year.

The court heard that, on September 23 of last year, on Oxford Road, Yeovil, he assaulted another man by beating him.

Jack Barry, prosecuting, told the court that the victim was driving to work and faced disruption from a van which caused him to brake suddenly and sound his horn.

He didn’t think too much about it until Turpin approached him angrily and remarked on him sounding his horn.

The court heard Turpin “grabbed him by the shirt” and “waved a hammer in front of his face” all while swearing and shouting.

Mr Barry said: “He [the victim] feared for his life and repeatedly said sorry to the defendant.”

After this, Turpin left the scene.

It was heard that Turpin claimed he felt he was “tailgated” by the victim, which “caused him to lose his cool”.

He had tools in his vehicle, and a family member of his was unwell, so “his emotions were all over the place at the time.”

Patrick Mason, defending, told the court how Turpin served in the Navy, is retired, and his finances are “very tight”.

It was heard that the stressful situation on September 23 caused Mr Turpin to “snap” and “set off”.

Mr Mason said: “He is not, in my submission, a man who will ever get into trouble again.”

During his sentencing, His Honour Judge Shepherd said: “You are an otherwise decent man, but due to pressures on that day you lost your temper.

“You acted in an otherwise aggressive way, and, because of the circumstances, you were frightening and intimidating, but I do accept this is a one-off misbehaviour.

“I am sure I will never see you again.”

Mr Shepherd acknowledged that Turpin is at a low risk of reoffending.

Turpin has been ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the victim.