In a disturbing incident that has shocked a local community, a 73-year-old man has been captured on CCTV deliberately using his car as a weapon against his 71-year-old neighbour. The violent assault, stemming from a petty parking dispute, left the victim hospitalised with serious injuries.
The Moment of Impact
Chilling closed-circuit television footage shows the pensioner, identified as David Browning, calmly reversing his blue Hyundai i10 across a quiet residential street in a calculated move. He accelerates directly into his neighbour, John Sweeney, who was standing near his own vehicle. The force of the impact sends Mr. Sweeney flying onto the bonnet and then onto the pavement.
A Premeditated Act of Violence
What makes the incident even more alarming is its premeditated nature. The court heard how Browning had initially driven away from the scene, only to return moments later to execute the deliberate reverse manoeuvre. Prosecutors stated the act was a direct result of an ongoing "petty" disagreement over parking arrangements on their street.
Severe Consequences and Legal Reckoning
The victim, Mr. Sweeney, suffered significant physical trauma from the attack. He was rushed to the hospital with severe bruising and debilitating back injuries, the effects of which continue to impact his daily life. Despite initially pleading not guilty, Browning was convicted by a jury of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
At Southampton Crown Court, the judge condemned Browning's actions as a "deliberate and dangerous piece of driving.” The 73-year-old was sentenced to a two-year prison term, suspended for two years, and was banned from holding a driving licence for three years.
A Community Left in Disbelief
The case has served as a stark reminder that volatile disputes can erupt anywhere, even in the most seemingly peaceful neighbourhoods. The use of a vehicle as a weapon against an elderly neighbour has left the local community reeling, highlighting the tragic consequences of allowing a minor grievance to escalate into life-altering violence.
