A motorist was knocked unconscious in a shocking road rage attack that was captured on the defendant's own dashcam and witnessed by his two children.
Attack Details
John Lee, 37, of Cae Tyddyn, Llanrwst, assaulted the victim as he sat in his car in the Llanrwst area of Conwy on June 15, 2025. Lee pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday, April 21.
Prosecutor Rabia Tariq told the court that the victim had been driving with his wife and parents near Llanrwst when he pulled over to pick up some eggs from a shop before continuing on his way. However, he heard a loud beep and hit his brakes, believing something was wrong with his car. Lee was travelling in a vehicle behind him, the court heard.
The Assault
Lee then flung open his car door and shouted: "What are you doing?" before striking the victim, who lost consciousness. The victim's wife also reported that Lee grabbed him and shook him, reports Wales Online. She subsequently got out of the car, and dashcam footage captured Lee in a heated argument with her.
The victim was left with a bruised eye socket, a grazed eyelid and loss of consciousness, Ms Tariq told the court. In a statement, the victim described the ordeal as "deeply concerning to him", adding that the incident was "extremely aggressive and shocking". He also revealed he has suffered from increased forgetfulness since the assault.
Witnesses and Background
The court also heard that Lee's own children witnessed the entire incident. Lee had one conviction in 2005 for common assault for which he received a referral. In mitigation, Richard Edwards said Lee had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and "bitterly regrets his actions". It was a "single, isolated, impulsive" incident, Mr Edwards said, adding that his client was part of a stable family unit. He had served in the military, which was cut short due to injury, and was now self-employed, working for a building firm in carpentry and joinery. Lee had struggled with mental health issues and had established a mental health football team to support others as well as himself, Mr Edwards said.
Sentence
Passing sentence, Judge Nicola Jones said: "You put your head in the car door and punched him once rendering him unconscious. He had swelling and bruising and his family were present in the car, his parents were in the back seat. His wife was in the front seat. She got out and you didn't just walk away, you started having a go at her, being verbally aggressive."
Judge Jones handed Lee an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He must undertake 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and must also pay £500 in compensation along with a statutory surcharge.
