Sheffield bricklayer 'saw red' and attacked car with hatchet following crash outside Chesterfield cafe

Rhys Habberfield had been parking outside the Blue Star Cafe in Mansfield Road, Hasland, on March 10, when the 80-year-old reversed into him, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Monday, September 7.

Prosecuting, Katie Hamill said that the other driver had offered Habberfield £40 in cash for the damage, which had enraged the defendant because he didn’t think it was enough and he assumed the victim was driving without insurance.

“As the victim was reversing a van appeared behind him and he had collided with that vehicle,” she said. “The van then pulled up further down the road and the defendant initially didn’t appear very angry at first and asked to see his driving licence.

“He said that he didn’t have it on him but he offered him details on his insurance company. He said that he could pay him with cash and the defendant shouted, ‘You think you can pay for everything with cash. He then went back to his van and got a hatchet he had in the back and hit the bonnet of the victim’s car three times.”

The pensioner then went back into the cafe and asked them to call the police because he feared he was going to be attacked, she added.

Habberfield, 30, of Hollybank Drive, Sheffield, admitted criminal damage and threatening behaviour following the incident, which caused almost £2,000 damage to the vehicle.

Mitigating, Ben Strelley said: “This is a clear red mist incident and he says he was parked up when this vehicle has reversed into his van. He asked for the driver’s details and he wasn’t particularly forthcoming with them.”

Habberfield was given a 12-month community order to include 200 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £1,967 in compensation, £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge. Magistrates also ordered that the hatchet used in the incident to be forfeited and destroyed.

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