Driver jailed after violent road rage attack on pensioner near Skipton
The 82-year-old victim suffered life-changing injuries after being repeatedly punched and struck with a car door
A man has been jailed for 12 years after a violent road rage attack left an 82-year-old with life-changing injuries near Skipton.
Lee Symonds, 42, of Greatwood Avenue, Skipton, was sentenced after changing his plea to guilty to dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He was also banned from driving and must pass an extended driving test before getting his licence back.
The attack
The attack happened on the A59 at Carleton in August 2023.
The court heard John Knowles, known to his family as Jack, had just pulled out onto the road in a reasonable manner.
Symonds began driving aggressively, trying to force him off the road before repeatedly braking in front of his car.
After a collision, both men got out of their vehicles.
Symonds then repeatedly punched Mr Knowles before using the victim's own car door to repeatedly strike him in the head.
Members of the public stepped in to stop the attack as Symonds fled the scene.
Mr Knowles suffered multiple fractures to his eye and cheek bone, a displaced tooth and nerve damage, which left him unable to eat for 10 days and required round the clock care from his family.
He later needed two operations after suffering bleeding on the brain caused by the attack.
"You took away his confidence, his independence, his freedom and his dignity"
In a statement read to the court, Mr Knowles' daughter said:
"The outcome for dad has been that yes, he survived, but his quality of life changed for the worse and he will never get that back.
“We have come to accept that, realistically, he will never be the same again now.
"You robbed a vulnerable, elderly man of precious quality time in the twilight of his years. You took away his confidence, his independence, his freedom and his dignity."
Police Staff Investigator Lorraine Whipp described it as "a horrific and unprovoked attack" and thanked members of the public who stopped to help and later gave evidence.
She continued: “Symonds also drew out the case outcome by pleading not guilty at the first hearing, subjecting the family to years of waiting and anxiety for the trial."