An irate Porsche driver who lost his head with a fellow road user removed the motorist’s keys from the ignition and threw them into a bush, a court has heard.
James Olley ordered the man to pull over after his manoeuvring accidentally caused damage to Olley’s expensive sports car.
When the two drivers found themselves stopped on the Parkway in Aberdeen, Olley seized his chance to confront the driver – as well as the man’s car keys.
Olley’s solicitor told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that his client is “genuinely sorry” for his actions and knows he went “over the score”.
Fiscal depute Alan Townsend told the court that on August 8 this year the other driver became aware of Olley “taking umbrage” at him emerging into a lane on the A90 near the Bridge of Don in the manner that he did.
“The accused’s vehicle pulled alongside for a matter of time and the complainer tried to apologise for a genuine mistake,” Mr Townsend said.
“He could hear the accused indicating that his car could have been totally written off.
“As they pulled over to the side of the road, the complainer tried to apologise for the mistake.
“As the accused got out of his vehicle the complainer drove off but the two cars met up again at the Parkway on the A90 North road.
Keys were never recovered
“The accused got out of his motor vehicle while the complainer continued to apologise and said it was a mistake.
“The accused then reached in through the complainer’s car window and grabbed his car keys.”
The man tried to stop Olley from pulling his keys from the ignition, but he yanked them so hard it hurt the man’s fingers.
Olley then threw the keys into the undergrowth at the side of the road.
The man took a picture of Olley following this incident, which he provided to the police.
His car keys – which had his house keys attached – were unable to be recovered.
The total cost to replace both sets of keys was £385.
Olley, 34, pleaded guilty to one charge of robbing the man of a set of car keys.
‘He lost his temper’
Defence agent Andrew Ormiston told the court that his client was “genuinely sorry for his behaviour” that day.
“Unfortunately the complainer drove in a way that forced Mr Olley off the road and caused damage to the car – the damage will be around £1,300.
“He followed the complainer initially to exchange details but the man drove off and Mr Olley became angry at the situation.
“It was at that stage he took the keys and threw them.
“He realised that this would have been a distressing incident – he lost his temper and went over the score.”
Sheriff Lesley Johnston told Olley: “Your behaviour was completely unacceptable and I can see that you understand that with your guilty plea.
“There was some damage to your car but what happened thereafter is inexcusable.”
Sheriff Johnson fined Olley, of Jesmond Drive, Bridge of Don, a total of £520 and ordered him to pay £305 compensation to the other driver.
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