We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Terry Higman, 72, ran over the stranger so that the vehicle was on top of her, leaving her bruised and traumatised. And he was heard telling her afterwards, during her friend’s 999 call: “You are lucky I did not kill you.” However, Higman was spared jail yesterday after his lawyer claimed he was worried the victim and her friend were going to snatch his terrier – even though they were already walking a dog themselves.

A court heard the two women asked Higman to slow down as he rode through Astor Park in Plymouth, Devon. The pensioner hurled abuse at the pals and deliberately drove into his victim so that she fell down and knocked her head.

A statement from the victim read at Plymouth Crown Court said: “I was mowed down by a man on a mobility scooter.

“The incident has left me feeling vulnerable, very shaken and anxious.”

But Higman’s 20-week jail term was suspended yesterday for two years, Plymouth Live reports.

Sentencing the man, Judge Robert Linford said: “Two members of the public were concerned about the way you were riding your mobility scooter.

“It does not matter if they were right or they were wrong. They saw you pulling your dog on a lead while going quite quickly and they asked you to slow down.

“You did not do that. You threatened to run them over and you rode your scooter at the complainant in this case.

“You deliberately hit her and you deliberately knocked her down.”

He also ordered the pensioner to pay the woman £1,000 in compensation.

Higman, from Prince Rock, Plymouth, pleaded guilty at the start of his trial to common assault on March 17 last year.

He denied the more serious count of assault causing actual bodily harm – a plea accepted by the prosecution.

You threatened to run them over and you rode your scooter at the complainant in this case

Judge Robert Linford

Charlie Barrass-Evans, prosecuting, said the victim and her friend were worried about Higman’s dog which “appeared to be limping” in Astor Park.

Mr Barrass-Evans added: “He drove his scooter into the complainant to the point where she lost her balance and fell to the floor, hitting her head.

“The defendant continued at her to the point where the mobility scooter was on top of the complainant for some time until it was removed.”

The barrister said she was taken to a minor injuries unit where she was treated for bruising to her legs and pain in her arm.

He added that she reported losing consciousness and may have had concussion.

Ali Rafati, for Higman, said his client thought the two women were trying to snatch his terrier – having heard stories about dog thieves.

He said: “He was frightened and worried about his dog and then took matters far too far.”

Mr Rafati said Higman believed there was nothing wrong with the way he was walking his dog in the park near his home.

He added the defendant had broken his back at the age of 23 and had also suffered from polio.

Source: Read Full Article