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Former track cyclist sentenced after road rage Incident

 Published on: 6th May 2016   |   By: The Newsdesk   |   Category:

A former track cycling ace from Ruislip has been given a suspended jail sentence and told to pay £3,500 costs after a court heard how he deliberately blocked another driver’s car during a road rage incident and snatched his keys from the ignition. Tony Gibb, 39,who won a bronze medal for his country in the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 as well as a silver medal that same year in the World Championships, had moments earlier caused the other motorist to brake sharply when he pulled out in front of him at a busy junction near Tring.  There was much swearing and gesturing between both men, but instead of leaving it at that, Gibb got out of his Volvo XC90 as it blocked the path of Kyle Gilroy’s Astra SRI and walked over to the passenger door. Then reaching into the other car, Gibb took the keys from the ignition before throwing them on the ground and driving away. He was found guilty today last month of a charge of dangerous driving at St Albans Crown Court. Judge Andrew Bright QC was told how at around 1pm on Sunday, June 21 last year Gibb, who also commentates on cycling events for Eurosport and who is a successful businessman, was on his way to a cycling event in which he was taking part. The court heard he was in a hurry and in Cow Lane near Tring found himself at the junction with the A4251. He then pulled out onto the A road and in doing so caused Mr Gilroy to perform an emergency stop. Passing sentence Judge Bright said the situation at that point could have been dealt with “sensibly” Instead, he said there was gesturing and swearing by both drivers and it was then that Gibb had decided to get out of his car as it blocked Mr Gilroy’s vehicle and snatch his keys. The judge said the dangerous driving he had been convicted of was his blocking off of the other man’s vehicle. Gibb was told by the judge he had behaved in an arrogant and aggressive manner towards the younger driver who was out that day with his girlfriend and they were on their way to go for a walk. Judge Bright said “You decided to take his keys to somehow punish him. You threw the keys to the other side of the road.” He then told Gibb “The Court Of Appeal has made it clear that road rage is something the courts must take very seriously and punish severely.” The judge said his offence “crossed the custody threshold” but he told him he was just able to suspend the sentence.” He gave him a three month jail term which was suspended for two years and ordered he perform 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for a year and told he must take an extended test before he gets behind the wheel of a car again. The judge said Gibb would have to pay the prosecution’s costs of £3500. Before leaving the dock Gibb was told whether he was riding his bike or driving a car, he must make sure in the future he keeps his temper in check.

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