A man who lashed out at an Asda lorry with a crowbar has avoided jail.
Sidney Smith caused £8,000 worth of damage to the truck when he became enraged while sat in traffic caused by Just Stop Oil protesters.
The 25 year old was on his way home to Brentwood, Essex, after a 12-hour night shift.
After undertaking the lorry, he clipped it while driving on October 18, 2022.
Sidney Smith damaged the Asda van
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An enraged Smith got out of his car and started shouting at the Asda driver before ripping off the number plate and windscreen wiper. He then got back into his car and started braking sharply in front of it until he caused a collision.
Prosecutor Richard Lamb told Maidstone Magistrates’ Court: "He went to the boot of his vehicle and got a red bar out and started striking the driver’s door with it, he did that four times and was shouting and was angry.
"The lorry driver thought the window would break and he was shouting and pacing about with the bar. He then got in his vehicle again and sped off."
He admitted to to losing it but claimed the lorry driver had clipped his car, not the other way round.
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Smith appeared at Maidstone Magistrates Court
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Andrew Thompson, defending, said his client was "ashamed" and wrote a letter of apology.
His defence said if Smith was jailed for the new offence he would lose his job and his home, as he owns his house and business.
He told the court: "He deeply regrets what happened, he’s embarrassed and if possible would like to meet the Asda driver and shake his hand and apologise."
Smith was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and banned from driving for 18 months.
Smith, who previously served a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving in 2016, he was ordered to pay £500 to Asda.
The court also ordered him to carry out 100 hours of community service.
Earlier this year, Louis Grieves, who was arrested for common assault after he shoved two protesters on Blackfriars Bridge in London last May had his legal case dropped.
The 22 year old scaffolder only found out his case was dropped just moments before he was set to appear in court.
