A motorist who left a cyclist with a serious brain injury following a road rage attack in Edinburgh has avoided a jail sentence. Joseph Hedley, 39, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, was placed on a two-year supervision order after pleading guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of life.
Attack at Cowgate
Hedley grabbed cyclist Iain Brown by the throat and threw him to the ground during a clash at the Cowgate in 2024. He and his partner then got back into their car and left the area, leaving Brown lying unconscious in the road.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Brown suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain and was taken to hospital for emergency treatment. The incident was captured on mobile phone footage that was posted on social media, and Hedley later handed himself in to police following a public appeal to trace him.
Sentencing and defence
Appearing for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Hedley had previously admitted the assault. His solicitor, Calum Turner, told the court that his client "did not intend to inflict the injuries Mr Brown suffered" and has not driven a vehicle since the incident.
The lawyer said the attack took place after the cyclist had shouted abuse at the driver and his passengers and had shone a bicycle safety light into his car. Mr Turner added that a passenger in the vehicle had suffered a seizure, leading Hedley to leave his vehicle and confront Brown.
Court outcome
Sheriff Fergus Thomson said the motorist had inflicted "significant injuries" to the cyclist but, "by the narrowest of margins," he was willing to impose an alternative to a custodial sentence. Hedley will be tagged and must stay within his home address between 7pm and 7am for the next 12 months.
Following the sentencing, Faith Currie, Procurator Fiscal for Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, said: "This was a violent, sustained and unprovoked assault on an innocent member of the public who suffered serious injuries. The actions of Joseph Hedley were horrific and shocking and could easily have had more devastating consequences. But he has now been brought fully to account for his crimes. As prosecutors, we wholly condemn road rage incidents of this nature which put the public at unnecessary risk from violent offenders like Joseph Hedley. We will always prosecute such matters where there is a sufficiency of evidence to do so."
Previously, fiscal depute Peter Finnon played footage of the attack to the court, which took place at around 6.20pm on Friday, September 20, 2024. Mr Finnon said Brown was cycling from the Cowgate when there was an altercation with Hedley, the driver of a vehicle. Hedley's partner exited the vehicle and words were exchanged between the partner and Brown.
Mr Finnon added that Brown was on the road, police and ambulance services were contacted, and first aid was applied. Brown had lost consciousness for a short time and was taken to the royal infirmary. Hedley left the scene and attended a police station on September 22 around 10pm after finding out police were looking for him.
The court heard Brown suffered a traumatic brain injury, a fractured skull and an acute bleed on the brain. Medics who treated him at the hospital deemed his injuries to be "very much to the potential of danger to Mr Brown's life."
