Northampton lorry driver attacked burger van operator over the head with a metal pole and punched his jaw during altercation over a parking space

A lorry driver who parked his truck on a burger van operator's regular spot attacked the fast food trader with an iron bar after he asked him to move, a court heard on Wednesday (Aug 19).

Richard Hawkins arrived at his designated trading position in his burger van only to find a car transporter parked on it, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

He tapped on the window and asked driver Richard Hall, 30, to move it and Hall said he would do so in 30 minutes when his break ended.

But ten minutes later Hall approached the burger van holding an iron bar and assaulted Mr Hawkins, hitting him on the head and punching his jaw, said prosecutor Alec Small.

Hall, of Pitstone Road, Northampton, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Hawkins causing him actual bodily harm on October 12 2017 and possession of cannabis on the same occasion.

He was sentenced to a two year community order and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Small told the court that Mr Hawkins had been who had been trading from the location on Ashville Road, Gloucester, for 17 years.

Mr Small said: “The burger van operator Mr Hawkins trades from a designated spot where there is a gap in the yellow line road markings.

“He arrived as usual at 7.10pm and found the car transporter parked in his spot. He knocked on the lorry driver’s door and Mr Hawkins explains the situation, to which Hall responded by saying he would move in 30 minutes when his break finished.

“Mr Hawkins went back to his van and started to get ready for trading. Ten minutes later he had a knock on the door of the van from Hall who had a long solid metal bar with him and stepped into the van shouting, ‘Do you fancy your chances?’ - which he followed up with a blow to the top of Mr Hawkins' head.

“Hall then punched Mr Hawkins in his jaw. Mr Hawkins managed to escape out of the van with Hall following. Hall then got back into his lorry and drove off.”

The court was told that Mr Hawkins immediately contacted the police, who found out from the lorry operator, Robinsons Auto Logistics, where Hall’s next stop was.

Hall was arrested at this location and the iron bar used in the attack was found in the driver’s cab with blood on it from Mr Hawkins.

The court heard that Hall also failed a roadside drugs test.

The injuries sustained by Mr Hawkins needed four staples to aid recovery.

Eugene Hickey, defending, said: “Hall pleaded guilty to the offence and has stayed out of trouble ever since the incident. He has since gained new employment."

Judge Ian Lawrie QC said: “Hall has an issue over his temper. However he has since gained work and this case has taken so long to get to court for resolution that I feel a two year community order is the most appropriate sentence.”

As part of the order Hall will have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. The judge also ordered Hall to pay £150 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £85.

Hall told the judge: “I am a completely different man. I am not that guy any more. I have changed for the better.”