Chesterfield road rage row erupted after white van driver forced mum off road

The incident happened when Colin Phillips, 43, “made it difficult” for his victim as she tried to merge from two lanes into one.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard how on May 24 the woman - who was “pushed” and shouted at by Phillips - was driving in Clay Cross with her eight-month-old son in the car.

Prosecutor Shairoz Ahmed described how as the two warring drivers approached Tesco, Phillips pulled his white Ford Transit into the nearside lane - forcing the other driver onto the pavement.

She then got out of her car and “banged” on the van while “shouting” at Phillips.

Ms Ahmed told how Phillips - also shouting at this point - “pushed” the furious female driver with “both hands” - causing her to “move to the side”.

The prosecutor said: “He got back into his vehicle and gave a “hand gesture” to a witness who was recording the incident on her phone, then drove off.”

Magistrates heard Phillips’ victim’s mother and sister - filming the chaotic fracas - were also in her car at the time.

Phillips’ solicitor Ben Strelley told the court the “trigger point” leading up to the heated exchange had been “the victim getting out of her vehicle”.

He said: “She punched his van and called him an idiot and then Mr Phillips retaliated.

“Given the circumstances Mr Phillips would not accept it was his driving that was erratic - he would say it was her driving that was erratic.

“Clearly both drivers exited their vehicles but it was the victim who was proactive in exiting her vehicle to confront Mr Phillips.”

The court heard former crack user Phillips had previous convictions - his last was a drug-related matter in 2019.

However Mr Strelley said he had now been “clean” for two years.

He added: “It’s a one-off incident where he has seen red mist and reacted to it.”

Phillips, of Tennyson Street, Alfreton, admitted assault and threatening behaviour.

He was fined £120 and made to pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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