‘Angry’ man mows down love rival with van over cheating wife
The husband took revenge by using his van as a weapon
An “angry” cuckolded man revved his van engine before mowing down a love rival who was having a fling with his wife, a court heard.
Betrayed “family man” Brendon Coker was furious when he discovered his partner was cheating on him - spurring him on to use a “highly dangerous” vehicle as a “weapon” in an “act of revenge”.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard how the 40-year-old self-employed electrician became “angry and agitated” when he saw love rival Peter Williams in Crane Street, Chichester, on February 26 in 2024.
Prosecutor Kris Berlevy said: “Mr Williams saw Mr Coker in the street who looked angry and agitated. He got into his van and revved the engine and collided with Mr Williams.”
The victim escaped with “minor injuries” despite being struck by a “tonne and a half of metal”, the court heard.
Rebecca Upton, defending, said Coker lashed out within “hours of finding out (his partner) was in a short lived relationship with Mr Williams”. But the barrister said there was “no intent to cause really serious injury”.
Ms Upton said Coker and his wife, who have three children together, “remain together” despite her betrayal.
The barrister said the defendant’s behaviour was “out of character and isolated” before adding: “(Coker) very much regrets his behaviour. He’s a family man. The chance of him going before the court again is very low.”
Despite his ordeal, the court heard how Coker, of previous good character, had been fortunate when a charge of grievous bodily harm (GBH) was downgraded to the less serious charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).
Judge Daniel Sawyer said: “It baffles me the Crown chose to accept the plea (of ABH).” He added: “In my view it is the wrong decision.”
The judge said had Coker, of Farnhurst Road, Bognor Regis, been sentenced for GBH he would have received a five year jail term. Instead he walked away with nine months jail suspended for 18 months and told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and told to pay £150 costs.
Judge Sawyer said it was “miraculous” Mr Williams “walked away with only minor injuries” after being struck by Coker’s van.
He said: “It is a highly dangerous weapon…a tonne and a half of metal you hit him with. Four people a day die from car accidents. They are the most dangerous weapon in the country.
“You deliberately drove the vehicle at Mr Williams in plain act of revenge. You used the vehicle as a weapon.”