Driver who caused injuries to traffic warden jailed
An American businessman who drove into a parking attendant who was giving him a ticket has been jailed for three months.
James Hudson, 60, became enraged and abusive when traffic warden Tomasz Cegielski, from Poland, went to give him a parking ticket in Northampton.
He had parked his silver Mercedes in St Giles Street while having a meal at Ask on Thursday, March 12 when his ticket expired.
Northampton Crown Court heard that as Mr Cegielski was processing the 30 parking fine, Hudson said: "Do you enjoy doing that? If I was at work I would kill you."
Michael Waterfield, prosecuting, said "He got in the car and drove forward, coming out of the parking space.
"But Mr Cegielski was in front of him and the defendant hit his right leg and Mr Cegielski fell back on to the bonnet with his back on the bonnet.
"The defendant then drove some three car-lengths after that happened, before Mr Cegielski slid on to the road."
Hudson, who admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident, sent Mr Cegielski reeling. The traffic wardenwas knocked unconscious and blood was coming from his ear.
Judge Michael Fowler said he could not avoid passing a three-month prison sentence and banned Hudson from driving for two years with 640 costs.
He said: "This incident was generated by what may be termed in other circumstances as road rage, but it was really rage upon a parking attendant.
"Your ticket had expired and you knew you were at fault and any abuse and threats was wholly unjustified.
"The parking attendant was doing nothing more than his job. Not only was he carrying out his job but according to witnesses, he was doing it courteously in the face of escalating abuse and rage."
Judge Fowler said he was not sentencing as if Hudson had used his vehicle as a weapon or intended to cause injury.
Claire Drury, mitigating, said Hudson, who was suffering flu and under a great deal of stress, handed himself in to police two hours later.
She added: "His behaviour has had huge ramifications, resulting in the loss of his good character, his passport has been removed and brought a huge amount of embarrassment and shame."
Gary Webb, of NSL which employs Mr Cegielski, said: "We welcome this sentence, which sends a clear message that public servants should be free to do their jobs without abuse."
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