A FATHER who mounted a pavement full of pedestrians while on his way to pick up his son from nursery school was found not guilty of dangerous driving.
A FATHER who mounted a pavement full of pedestrians while on his way to pick up his son from nursery school was found not guilty of dangerous driving.
Stuart Chelton, 31, of West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe, denied driving his Vauxhall Nova in a dangerous manner in Plumer Road on August 27, Aylesbury Crown Court heard.
He claimed that his exit from the road had been blocked off by several other vehicles and when a group of youths began rocking his car, he had been forced to mount the pavement to make his escape.
The court heard how Mr Chelton had been frightened for his safety after he had been verbally abused by the gang who also threatened him with with a brick and sticks.
The altercation began when Mr Chelton was forced to slam on his brakes to avoid colliding with another car reversing out of its driveway. He admitted that he had got annoyed with the other driver
Jane Alt, prosecuting, alleged Mr Chelton had been angry and after a heated exchange with the other driver he had deliberately mounted the pavement, forcing up to nine onlookers to jump clear.
She said Mr Chelton only drove dangerously to get away from the situation which had escalated into a piece of dangerous driving because of his annoyance.
But on Wednesday, after a three day trial, a jury at the court found the defendant not guilty.
Judge David Morton said: 'Although not guilty of driving dangerously, he perhaps contributed to this unfortunate incident himself.'
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