Road rage driver in Skegness 'swore at police officer'

Mark Anthony Berry, 52, of Station Road, Little Steeping, admitted violent behaviour in a police station and threatening behaviour in Grand Parade, when he appeared before magistrates in Boston.

Lee Shepherd, prosecuting, said a police officer in plain clothes and in an unmarked police vehicle was driving along the Grand Parade in Skegness at 1.30pm on February 20, when he stopped to allow another car to cross in front of his car and go into a car park.

He said Berry was in the car behind the officer and 'took umbrage' at this, pulled up behind him and sounded his horn.

He said the officer drove into the car park, but Berry also drove in and pulled up beside him and swore at the officer and told him he should 'read the Highway Code' and that it was his right of way.

When the officer showed him his warrant card, Berry said: “I don't care who you are mate, you need to

learn how to drive”, and swore at him before driving off.

Mr Shepherd said that when the officer returned to Skegness Police Station, he saw Berry in the public

office and went in,at which Berry swore at him again and raised his fists and as the officer thought he was

going to be struck, he was pepper sprayed and arrested.

Mitigating, David Eager said the officer had 'jammed his brakes on at the last minute' to allow the third

car to cross over and Berry thought he had 'almost caused a collision' by 'not following the normal rules of

the road'.

“Men will be men,” he said but that 'unfortunately for Berry, one of them was a police officer and there

could only be one winner'.

He said that when Berry went to the police station he had no problem with the officers there until the first

officer came in and 'they went chest to chest like two stags'.

He said Berry had not been in trouble since 2010 but had 'clearly let himself down on this occasion'.

The magistrates imposed a two year conditional discharge and ordered Berry to pay £107 in court costs

and charges.