Violent Confrontation Erupts Over School Bullying Dispute
A father-of-six has been sentenced to prison after a planned amicable meeting about school bullying escalated into a violent car attack outside a Taco Bell restaurant. Bryan Southern, 55, arranged to meet another parent in Kirkby, Merseyside, to resolve issues between their children, but the situation rapidly spiralled out of control.
Car Used as Weapon in Restaurant Car Park
The incident occurred around 12:30pm on July 20 in the car park of the Taco Bell branch in Kirkby. Liverpool Crown Court heard that after Southern confronted Andrew Sanders about alleged bullying, a physical altercation broke out. Southern was reportedly knocked unconscious during the initial confrontation.
Upon regaining consciousness, the 55-year-old entered his vehicle and deliberately drove at high speed toward Mr Sanders. His car struck the man, sending him sprawling to the ground with leg abrasions, before colliding with a lamppost that ripped off the front bumper.
Prosecutor Christopher Hopkins stated: "The defendant then reversed and had a second go, either at Mr Sanders or his son. He could have really easily caused serious harm. The fact that he did not is, the prosecution say, by pure chance."
Dangerous Driving and Court Sentencing
Following the attack, Southern left the scene and later failed to stop for police. He was recorded travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone and went through two sets of red lights before eventually pulling over.
Defence barrister Matthew O'Neill explained that ongoing bullying incidents involving their children had contributed to Southern's actions, noting: "He has said to me that the effects of that punch, the emotion going through his mind and what had been going on led him into the very serious position and wrong decision to get behind the wheel of his car."
At Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, Southern admitted to attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. He received a prison sentence of 30 months and was disqualified from driving for three years and three months.
