Mechanic who drove three miles with man on bonnet cleared of charges

starbelgrade

A mechanic who drove for three miles with a man clinging to the bonnet of his car, says he should not have been prosecuted.

Gerry Brown was fleeing from an argument with the man when he gave chase and jumped on the bonnet of his car. Mr Brown said he was too frightened to stop, and decided to drive to the nearest police station with the man clinging to the front of his Mercedes.

While he was driving Mr Brown made an emergency 999 call to police asking for assistance, but said they advised him that no officers were currently available and ordered him to stop the car.

The slightly-built 53-year-old was stopped by police three miles down the road in Newcastle, Co Down, with the man still on the bonnet. He was arrested and charged with assault, dangerous driving and driving while using a mobile phone.

But after a two-year fight for justice, the Castlewellan man has been cleared of all charges by a District Judge.

The situation came about after Mr Brown sold a second-hand car for £350 (€410) to Lesley Quirey. The car broke down a week later and Mr Quirey, with his uncle Philip Quirey, arrived at the yard where Mr Brown was working in Annsborough, just outside Castlewellan, in February 2008, looking for a refund. The Quireys did not have the car with them and a disagreement broke out.

Mr Brown said he sensed that he could be in danger and jumped into his car and drove away.

“Philip Quirey ran around to the back of his car, where there was a Staffordshire bull terrier and pickaxe handle and I immediately thought that something wasn’t right. I just wanted to get out of there,” said Mr Brown.

He added: “They followed me in their car through Castlewellan. I had to stop at temporary traffic lights and Philip Quirey got out of his car and ran over to mine.

“I saw him coming through my wing mirror and I locked the doors as I didn’t want him getting at me. He started banging on the car with his fists then jumped on the bonnet. He is a very big man, about 6ft 4 and about 19 stone and he left a dent in the bonnet. All I could think of was to keep driving and to get to the police station.”

Three miles down the road in Newcastle Mr Brown was pulled over by police and arrested.

Source ; http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mechanic-who-drove-three-miles-with-man-on-bonnet-cleared-of-charges-2185565.html


Knowing mechanics, he probably tried to charge him for the drop off!

Gordon

I actually lold at the thread title!

Gerry Brown, real life Father Ted there.

biko

An angry 6 foot 4 man comes over with a pitbull and his uncle looking for money without the car = asking for trouble.

Talk about a bee on the bonnet.

WindSock

Gordon wrote: »

I actually lold at the thread title!

Gerry Brown, real life Father Ted there.

Indeed.

starbelgrade

Ted Crilly: Dougal, what’s so special about July the 19th?
Dougal McGuire: I don't now Ted, ya big b*llocks.

PeterIanStaker

Did his towel fall off?

CrazyRabbit

The funniest part is that they actually charged him with using a phone whilst driving even though it was a call to the emergency services.

Tail Wagger

Yeah a real dip stick that guy?

starbelgrade

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

The funniest part is that they actually charged him with using a phone whilst driving even though it was a call to the emergency services.

I thought that was a bit odd. As far as I know, ringing the emergency services is one of the times where you can use a hand held phone whilst driving.

He's puncturing the tyres Ted!

Cheap Thrills!

hahaha!

Oldtimer fail in Deathproof homage!

:P