A cyclist attacked a driver and his car with a heavy-duty bicycle lock following a row on the streets of Hammersmith.
Publisher James Bromet admitted charges of assault, causing criminal damage and using threatening words to provoke violence, following the incident in Paddenswick Road on August 27.
A court heard on Tuesday (October 6), that the 51-year-old was cycling on Goldhawk Road and approaching the junction with Paddenswick Road when he cycled around and cut up Alfa Romeo driver Robert Jackson as he indicated to turn right.
The victim beeped his horn to avoid collision, which prompted an angry response from Bromet, who shouted at him and stuck up his middle finger.
Prosecutor Tom Gill said: “He then took a heavy duty bicycle lock on his left handlebar, transferred it to his right hand and shouted: ‘I’m going to hit your car’.”
Mr Jackson pulled his car over in the hope the cyclist would ride off.
Mr Gill added: “Mr Bromet then hit the car with the lock just below the right nearside light constellation, causing damage to the bodywork. Mr Jackson then got out of the car and the defendant swung the bike lock at him. He managed to block the strike.”
Unfortunately for Bromet, his actions were witnessed by a police officer who immediately arrested him. He later apologised for the attack and said he was “mortified” about the assault.
He said in a police statement read to court: “This car came up behind very aggressively, tooting, obviously taking offence at something, but it didn’t stop, and came up behind us again.
“It was then that I reacted badly.”
Bromet, from Stronsa Road, Fulham admitted the charges at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court.
Ben Lansbury, defending, said his client had been cycling for many years without incident.
He said: “We cannot gainsay why the driver of the vehicle stopped, but stop he did, and even in his own words he said he ran towards Mr Bromet in order to detain him, which I take to mean restrain him.
“And at that stage he waved the bike lock about to keep him away - unfortunately there was contact. That went beyond what would be admissible as self defence at that stage.”
Mr Lansbury said Bromet had offered his apologies for the damage to Mr Jackson’s car and for the assault.
Magistrate Greg Thomson said: “This is a road-rage incident where the defendant, for whatever reason, not only chose to use a lock to damage the victim’s car, but has then taken a swing at the victim.
“This is a serious matter, as I have indicated, it is something that the courts take a dim view of.”
Sentencing was adjourned until October 14 for pre-sentence reports and a victim impact statement. Bromet was granted unconditional bail.
