by Keith Hunt

An angry golf enthusiast swung into action when he suspected another driver of damaging his van on the way to work one morning.

Carpet company boss Ben Miller grabbed a six iron from the back of the van and hit a hole in one through Owen Ives’s car window, snapping the club.

That teed off Ives even more and he retaliated by smashing Mr Miller’s window and attacking him.

Now, 28-year-old Ives, of Durrell Gardens, Chatham, is facing sentence for affray and damaging property.

James Bilsland, prosecuting, told a jury: “This is a case which you may think puts neither of the protagonists in a good light.

“The prosecution suggests both parties behaved disgracefully during the confrontation that led to this case.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard the road rage incident happened as the two men were driving along New Road, Chatham, on October 20 last year.
Ives was in the inside lane in his Ford Ka and Mr Miller, with employee Lloyd May in the passenger seat, was in the outside lane.

When the two roads merged into one, neither was prepared to give way.
Ives claimed he was forced to drive onto the kerb to avoid a collision with the van.

He banged on the side of the van and Mr Miller thought it had been damaged. “Both men had clearly lost their temper at this stage,” said Mr Bilsland.

It was when the traffic stopped near the Roffen Club in Rochester that Mr Miller reached for a golf club and took a swing at the car window.

After being showered with glass, Ives chased Mr Miller back to the van. Once inside he locked the door.

By now, Ives had lost control, said the prosecutor. He alleged Ives used the butt end of a Stanley knife to break the van window and then stabbed or slashed Mr Miller on the arm with the blade.

But Ives denied having a knife and was cleared of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

He denied that charge and affray but admitted damaging property.
Judge Andrew Patience QC adjourned sentence until October 1, but warned Ives, who has previous convictions for violence: “Immediate custody is something which must very much be in my mind.”

Granting conditional bail, he added he could consider a high community penalty.