Driver denies road rage attack

Gordon Springall was left unconscious with five broken ribs

A motorist has denied running down a teacher in his girlfriend's company car.

John McKinney, 38, from Nottingham, is accused of reversing into Gordon Springall on a lane in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire.

Mr Springall, 51, from Loughborough, was left lying in the road and suffered five broken ribs.

Mr McKinney says he crashed his car into a ditch after getting lost on country roads.

Wine and cider

The incident is alleged to have been sparked after Mr Springall waved at a car to slow down.

Giving evidence at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, Mr McKinney was asked if he reversed into Mr Springall. He replied: "No."

John McKinney denies the charges

Mr McKinney said he spent the evening in August 2001 at Belvoir Castle watching a pop concert with his partner.

He said: "I had half a glass of wine with some sandwiches and a taste of a glass of cider."

He said they were driving back to a local hotel but he got lost and crashed the car on a tight bend. When it failed to start they walked back.

Police found the Peugeot 206 abandoned just over a mile from where Mr Springall was hit. The rear windscreen was smashed and the boot dented.

When questioned by police Mr McKinney said: "God forbid I would knock someone down and leave them."

Mr McKinney, 38, of Woodborough Road, Mapperley, Nottingham, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent and an alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on August 26, 2001.

He also denies dangerous driving on the same date.

The trial continues.