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Van driver threatens motorist with baseball bat

'This is a clear case of dangerous, irresponsible and intimidating behaviour, and there is no place for such actions on our roads'

Gianluca Avagnina
Monday 22 July 2019 17:30 BST
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Van driver brandishes baseball bat on motorway

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A van driver who was filmed threatening a motorist with a baseball bat after driving aggressively has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Joshua McKenzie of Kenley in Surrey swerved his Mercedes Sprinter between lanes on the northbound carriageway of the M23, before waving a baseball bat at a Corsa driver who captured the moment on his dashcam.

The 36-year-old building labourer was also disqualified from driving for 12 months, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and must pay a £140 victim surcharge, at Lewes Crown Court.

Sergeant Phil Badman of Sussex Police, said: "This is a clear case of dangerous, irresponsible and intimidating behaviour, and there is no place for such actions on our roads."

A spokesman for the force added that McKenzie "braked sharply on numerous occasions and swerved between lanes, causing the victim to take evasive action and decrease its speed to 27mph. He also made a hand gesture and brandished a baseball bat."

He said that he had flashed his lights at the Corsa driver "who was initially unable to manoeuvre to lane two due to other traffic."

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