AN angry motorist threatened a school-run dad in a "road rage" confrontation.

Burnley magistrates heard how haulier Craig Hopkinson, 28, threatened to kill Abdul Majid and racially abused him in front of three sobbing children.

Hopkinson, a father of three, of Keats Close, Colne, was conditionally discharged for 12 months after admitting threatening or insulting words or behaviour.

Nigel Harrison, prosecuting, said Mr Majid was on the way to school, just before 9am, and turned into Judgefields, Colne. He did not think he had pulled out in front of the defendant, but Hopkinson glared at him angrily.

Mr Majid, whose window was wound down, asked what Hopkinson was trying to do and got out. The defendant got out of his car, threatened to kill Mr Majid and went towards him with clenched fists as the children began to cry.

Mr Majid, fearing he was about to be assaulted, tried to calm Hopkinson down, but the defendant was having none of it and kept saying "come on, come on." Majid took out his mobile phone and rang police, but the defendant drove away. Brian Irlam, defending, said Hopkinson had no similar offences on his record. The defendant claimed Mr Majid was in a rush and came out of a road with no regard for traffic.

Hopkinson had no alternative but to do an emergency stop and Mr Majid drove on the footpath.

Hopkinson said Mr Majid was the first to get out of his car, was aggressive and kicked the door of the defendant's vehicle.

Angry words were exchanged, Hopkinson did not attempt to escape and drove a short distance to his home.

Mr Irlam went on: "The other driver's behaviour was equally as bad as his, but the police did not take any action as far as Mr Majid's behaviour was concerned. This was a wholly inappropriate way for police to deal with this matter."

He added Hopkinson, a self employed haulier, was a hard working man.

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