Road rage truck driver attacked motorist in front of victim's son

A motorist was attacked in front of his son by a road rage truck driver.

Kristopher Lorimer had followed the man for two miles after being annoyed by him switching lanes.

Missiles were thrown at the frightened dad's car before Lorimer punched and kicked him at Tesco in Belhaven Road, Wishaw.

Lorimer, 38, of The Broadway, Craigneuk, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

He admitted driving dangerously and acting in a threatening or abusive manner on July 11 last year, assaulting the man and driving while over the drink limit.

Scott O'Connor, prosecuting, said the incident began in Airbles Road, Motherwell, shortly before 3pm when the Ford Focus driver, who was with his son, changed lanes.

This annoyed Lorimer who was driving a Nissan truck behind him. He sounded his horn and the other man gestured in apology, but that didn't satisfy Lorimer.

Mr O'Connor told the court: "The accused pulled alongside and started shouting and swearing at him.

"The Focus driver apologised again and they both continued driving.

"The man's son then saw three items being thrown from the accused's vehicle. These, including a metal implement, made contact with the Focus."

It was accepted that these were thrown by a passenger in Lorimer's truck.

Mr O'Connor added: "The Focus driver stopped in a build-up of traffic at Caledonian Retail Park in Wishaw.

"The accused got out of his vehicle and struck the car's windscreen with a metal implement."

The car driver phoned the police and went to Tesco in Belhaven Road, but Lorimer followed him.

At the store entrance he punched and kicked him and there was a struggle before Lorimer left, taking the other man's phone which had fallen out of his pocket.

Police officers found the victim and his son in a "distressed" state but the man didn't require medical treatment.

Officers traced Lorimer later that day. His speech was slurred and he smelled strongly of alcohol.

The court heard dad-of-three Lorimer works as a scaffolder and has been in no further trouble since this incident.

Sheriff John Speir deferred sentence until next month for background reports.

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