Driver's fury at stone throwers

The sheriff said O'Neil had been provoked

Children were forced to leap out of the way of a car which raced into a packed playground, a court has heard.

William O'Neil flew into a rage because he suspected stones had been thrown at his new car.

He pursued two boys, aged 10 and 11, and skidded before pulling a hand-brake turn as horrified children cowered.

O'Neil then drove over a grass area to the staff car park at Patna Primary, Ayrshire, and warned the headmistress: "I have got a short fuse - I will hurt them."

He had just bought a new car and it was his pride and joy

Steven Maxwell, defence solicitor

But O'Neil walked free at Ayr Sheriff Court after admitting a breach of the peace and a dangerous driving charge in August last year.

Before fining O'Neil £250 and banning him for a year, Sheriff Neil Gow said: "There was a lot of provocation. These boys threw stones at his new car.

"The accused was under considerable provocation from these boys who had thrown stones at his newly purchased car."

"On the other hand you should not have driven into the playground where someone could easily have been injured."

'Road rage' in playground

Ayrshire roads campaigner Catriona Cochrane said the threat of jail must be made clear to dangerous drivers.

"It appears this sheriff was more concerned about damage to the car than to safety in a playground.

"Having spent years trying to make our roads safer for our children I find it quite shocking to find the courts are not backing us up.

"This was road rage inside a school playground and normal people would expect a severe punishment.

"As the charge said, this was dangerous driving not careless driving."

Accused's 'remorse'

Sheriff Gow is known for his love of cars and his stable of exotic vehicles has included a Rolls Royce, a Bristol, a Porsche, Mercedes and two-seater sports models.

O'Neil's lawyer, Steven Maxwell, said: "He realises he is in a lot of trouble and he has shown a high degree of remorse.

"He had just bought a new car and it was his pride and joy. I am told that in a fit of jealousy a number of children threw stones at the car.

"He entered the playground with the intention to report the matter to the headmaster."