Driver jailed for road rage chase

A Ferrari driver involved in a 50-mile road rage incident has been jailed for nine months.

David Hamilton, 31, of Chesters Cottages, Bonnyrigg, Lothian, Scotland, was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £800 costs.

He was found guilty of affray and dangerous driving after a trial at Carlisle Crown Court in May.

It followed an incident on the M6 between Kendal and Carlisle on 17 November 2002.

During the trial, VW Golf driver Robin Osbourne, from Carlisle, told how he was boxed in and threatened by the drivers of two sports cars as he drove north on the M6.

A Ferrari and a Mercedes, apparently racing each other, overtook him near Kendal as he drove home with his girlfriend, Anna Bowman, and her sister Jane.

This was a deliberate act of wanton dangerous driving Recorder Howard Bentham QC

He caught up with them 20 minutes later because they had slowed down, and overtook them.

The court heard the Ferrari overtook again and the driver gesticulated at him.

The Ferrari then pulled in close in front him, while the Mercedes drew close behind, boxing him in.

Mr Osbourne said he tried to overtake again but the Ferrari pulled out to block his path.

The jury heard this went on between Kendal and Carlisle and he was driven into as he turned off at junction 43 to try to find a police patrol.

Hamilton was identified as the driver of the Ferrari but the Mercedes driver was never found.

Hamilton had pleaded not guilty saying it was a case of mistaken identity because neither he nor his car had left the Edinburgh area on the day of the incident.

Passing sentence on Friday, Recorder Howard Bentham QC, sitting as a judge at Carlisle Crown Court. said: "This was a deliberate act of wanton dangerous driving.

"It was appalling and terrifying driving. It was sheer good fortune that no injuries were caused."