A road rage driver who left his victim with stab wounds has been jailed

The assault happened on the A256

A Ramsgate man who assaulted a taxi driver during a road rage incident in Thanet has been jailed for three years and two months.

Vincent Goddard, 48, of Newcastle Hill, assaulted the taxi driver on the A256 Sandwich Road at Ebbsfleet, Ramsgate.

He pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving but was convicted of both offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court. He was sentenced by Recorder Anthony Clover on Wednesday 10 May.

Confrontation

Goddard was driving towards Thanet on Thursday 26 March 2015 when he drew up behind the victim’s taxi.

He undertook the taxi, making hand gestures towards the driver, before pulling in front of it and slamming on his brakes.

When the two cars stopped at traffic lights a short while later both men got out of their cars and a tussle took place.

Goddard punched the taxi driver a number of times, stopping when the victim restrained him.

After the incident the taxi driver was treated at hospital for a number of stab wounds to his head, chest, abdomen and left arm.

Goddard, who claimed the taxi driver had thrown the first punch, admitted during a police interview to holding his car keys in his hand during the assault.

Charges

He was jailed for three years for the assault and two months to run consecutively for the dangerous driving offence. He was disqualified from driving for two years after which he will have to pass an extended driving test. He was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge.

Road rage

Detective Sergeant Sheena Barrell said: “This was clearly a case of road rage that went beyond verbal aggression to a physical altercation, which resulted in the victim suffering multiple injuries.

“I hope the sentence sends a clear message to drivers that getting aggressive when they are behind the wheel is not acceptable and will be taken really seriously by the courts.”