A van driver who was delivering blood to a hospital has been jailed after he deliberately rammed a cyclist who spat at him. Mark Okotie, 44, knocked his victim off his bike, sending him tumbling under two wheels of his van, in a "moment of extreme road rage" during rush hour on March 20, 2024.
Incident in New Cross
Woolwich Crown Court heard Okotie was driving through New Cross, southeast London, to deliver blood products to a hospital when he moved his van into the left lane "seemingly without looking". At the next set of traffic lights, the cyclist spat in Okotie's direction, which "went through the open driver's window", the court heard.
Dashcam footage from inside Okotie's van shows him turning the steering wheel sharply to run over the cyclist. Okotie was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. He was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent at the end of a trial earlier this month.
Injuries and Sentencing
Okotie, from Southwark, south London, sat in the dock as the court heard that his victim needed "numerous screws and plates" in his pelvis and femur after suffering several fractures. Defence barrister Mandisa Knights said dad-of-eight and grandfather Okotie works with young people "to prevent them from entering a world of violence", which he was "exposed to as a young man".
She said: "Unfortunately on this occasion, (he) departed so drastically from the man that he is. This is a man who stands not only at the centre of his family but the centre of his community." She added: "A momentary relapse in retaliation has led him to these grave consequences." The barrister told the court: "Mr Okotie has to re-enter his community, the boys that he has mentored and has shown that there is a different path, and look them in the eye and say 'I have done this'."
Sentencing Okotie, Recorder Neil Haythorne said: "In a moment of extreme road rage, which appears entirely out of character from what I have heard about you, you caused serious injury to a cyclist. You used the van as a highly dangerous weapon." The judge did not disqualify Okotie from driving as part of his sentence, noting that he has been driving for the last two and a half years since the incident.
Victim's Statement and Police Response
In a statement released by police, the victim said he is an active person but has been unable to go jogging and do other physical activities because of his injuries. He said: "When I hear a van or a large vehicle coming up behind me when I'm cycling it can make me panic."
Detective Inspector Steven Andrews, from the Met Police, said: "Okotie was driving a vehicle carrying blood destined for hospital patients in need. Instead of continuing a journey intended to support potentially lifesaving treatment, he chose to place someone else's life at risk." Mr Andrews added: "I hope this sentence provides a measure of justice for the victim and demonstrates that deliberate acts of violence on London roads will be robustly investigated and prosecuted."
