Honking horn argument leads to man being jailed

An argument over the honking of a car horn has led to man being jailed for almost two years.

Michael Tracey threatened to kill a man and his family if he did not withdraw a statement made to police following an earlier altercation, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The 40-year-old, from Gateshead, then drove his car into a lorry and at another motorist after another argument.

Tracey, who had a history of violent offending, was jailed for 22 months after admitting witness intimidation and dangerous driving.

An argument allegedly broke out between Tracey and two brothers on 12 May after his then-partner was challenged for incessantly sounding her car horn in a residential street, prosecutor John Hobley said.

Police were called after Tracey and several others allegedly attacked one of the brothers, although no charges were ever brought, the court heard.

Four days later, Tracey confronted the other brother while the victim was walking his dog and told him to withdraw his statement or he would kill the man, his family and his dog, Mr Hobley said.

A short while later, Tracey was attacked with a metal bar which broke his arm and he got into his Audi to drive away, the court heard

But instead of leaving, he drove aggressively up and down the street, crashing into a parked vehicle, Mr Hobley said.

Tracey then attempted to overtake a line of traffic but cut one driver up and crashed into a lorry, the court heard.

When the other driver got out of his car to remonstrate with Tracey, Tracey drove at the man at speed before leaving, the court heard.

In his police interview, Tracey told officers he was in a panic after being attacked and offered his apologies to the other motorist and the lorry driver.

In a statement read to the court, the victim of the witness intimidation said the incident had been "horrific" and he had been "constantly looking over his shoulder" since.

The court heard Tracey, of Willerby Court, had 11 convictions for 20 offences, including serious violence.

Judge Tim Gittins said he had formed no view over who was responsible for the original dispute but said Tracey had reacted in "extreme terms".

He was also banned from driving for three years and 11 months.

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