A car passenger will be punished by a judge next month after grabbing the steering wheel to direct the vehicle towards a cyclist in Whitehaven.
Curtis Leigh Percival, 25, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today and admitted the dangerous driving of a Volkswagen Golf at Meadow Road in the town.
Percival’s plea of not guilty to an allegation that he assaulted Lance Maudling, causing him actual bodily harm, was accepted by the prosecution.
Percival was brought to court following an incident on June 10 last year when he was a front seat passenger in the vehicle and Mr Maudling was on a bicycle.
Some information about the dangerous driving offence was revealed during an exchange in court between Percival’s barrister, Brendan Burke, and Judge Nicholas Barker.
“He accepts the reason for grabbing the wheel was to direct the car towards Mr Maudling?” asked Judge Barker.
“Yes,” replied Mr Burke, who confirmed the judge’s observation that there had been “malicious intent” behind his act.
“It is a deliberate act,” added Mr Burke.
“Your Honour will have seen there is a history with a common partner. There is also a history between this defendant and Mr Maudling.”
Judge Barker ordered the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report, and adjourned the case.
Percival, of Dent Road, Whitehaven, is due to be sentenced at the crown court next month, and in the meantime was granted conditional bail by the judge.
