A ROAD rage driver who left a cyclist with a broken pelvis after ramming him off his bike has been spared jail.

James Carroll lost the plot following a clash with cyclist Mark Grabham while they travelled through Renfrew.

He chased after Mr Grabham and followed him into a cul-de-sac where he smashed into his bike.

Carroll, 55, admitted causing serious injury to Mr Grabham by driving dangerously at speed, following him, repeatedly pulling in front of him and striking him, causing him to fall onto the road.

He could have been caged for up to five years when he appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court this week but Sheriff Seith Ireland allowed him to leave as a free man.

Instead, Carroll was placed on a Community Payback Order, as a direct alternative to custody, and made the subject of a form of ‘house arrest.’

Sheriff Ireland ordered him to carry out 208 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 270 hours, in the next 12 months, and made him the subject of a six-month Restriction of Liberty Order (RoLO).

The RoLO, which was reduced from eight months, will see Carroll fitted with an electronic tag and having to remain within his home between 7pm and 7am every day.

Carroll was also banned from driving for two years and told he will have to sit and pass the extended driving test before being allowed back on the roads alone again.

The sentences were reduced because Carroll admitted his guilt at a previous hearing.

During that hearing, procurator fiscal depute Keri Marshall told Sheriff Ireland the incident began at about 1pm on Saturday, February 17, last year.

She said: “Mark Grabham was out on his pedal cycle for a ride. He was in Campbell Street, Renfrew, and was making his way home.

“A silver Mercedes car, travelling at speed, came from behind him and pulled in front of the witness, blocking his way.

“The witness pulled alongside the car and gesticulated to the driver, who was the accused, regarding the manner of his driving.

“The accused got out of the car and said to the complainer ‘you were all over the road. Get off your bike and I’ll see you at the bottom of the street.’

“The witness was now frightened and continued along Campbell Street.”

A short time later, Mr Grabham was forced to stop after Carroll drove his car in front of him.

Mr Grabham struck Carroll’s wing mirror before cycling away – and this was said to be the catalyst for mowing him down.

Miss Marshall explained: “The silver car collided into the right-hand side of the witness’ bicycle, causing him to fall onto his left-hand side.”

Carroll, of Renfrew, was arrested after he flagged down the police to tell them about the incident.

Defence solicitor Michael McKeown told the court Mr Grabham had been gesticulating and shouting at Carroll and kicked his wing mirror.

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