A van driver who struck a father-of-two during a road rage incident in Oldham has been cleared of murder and manslaughter. Andrew Robson, 33, was involved in a dispute with Paul Bowles, 50, at the Elk Mill roundabout in Royton on March 26.
The altercation began after Robson's van approached Bowles' Nissan Qashqai 'very closely' on Broadway. Both men exited their vehicles and fought at traffic lights. Robson, a fencing business owner, then got back into his van and hit Bowles, causing fatal head injuries.
Robson told the jury at Minshull Street Crown Court: 'I didn't intentionally hit him. I was scared to death and wanted to get away from the situation.' He claimed he was 'dazed' after the incident and fled the scene, later arranging for the van to be collected. The vehicle has never been recovered.
Prosecutors argued Robson used his van as a weapon, but the defence said Bowles was the aggressor. Bowles' daughter, Katie-May, 19, who was in the car, confirmed her father struck Robson 'at least four times' but denied he was the aggressor throughout.
On October 1, the jury unanimously acquitted Robson of murder and manslaughter. As the verdict was read, Robson's family applauded and cheered from the public gallery. Bowles' family described him as a 'kind, loving, family man and true gentleman' who worked as a teaching assistant at St Anne's CofE Lydgate Primary School.
