Thomas Lloyd sentenced for tailgating, crashing, and bashing up another driver

A Pottsville man has been sentenced for a violent road rage incident which left the victim fearing for his safety.

A Pottsville man has been sentenced over a violent road range incident.

A bus driver has been sentenced after he tailgated, crashed and punched his victim, according to court papers.

Thomas Lloyd, 25, pleaded guilty in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday to driving behind another vehicle too closely, common assault and damaging property.

According to court documents on April 9, 2021, the victim was driving on Overall Drive, Pottsville when he noticed a large bus was travelling behind him.

The victim continued 200 metres down the road where he was forced to perform an emergency stop to avoid hitting a bush turkey and the bus behind him was unable to stop in time and hit the back of his car.

The victim pulled over and exited his car.

He attempted to exchange details but became concerned for his safety due to Lloyd’s demeanour.

The victim drove to Elizabeth Street to exchange the details in a public area and was followed by Lloyd.

Lloyd got out of his car and said “what the f--- are you doing”, and asked the victim for his licence.

The victim retrieved his wallet and Lloyd knocked it out of his hand causing his wallet and phone to fall onto the road.

Lloyd then punched the victim on the right side of his jaw.

While the victim was picking up his items from the road, Lloyd kicked the rear tail light of the car, causing it to smash.

Lloyd then returned to his vehicle and drove away.

Police later found broken tail light remains on Elizabeth Street, Pottsville.

Police spoke to Lloyd on April 29 where he denied any involvement with the incident, however, police obtained CCTV from a nearby bottle shop which showed the incident occurring.

After receiving written submissions from Lloyd’s solicitor, Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said the actions of Lloyd during the “road rage incident” on the day were “genuinely out of character”.

Lloyd was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and fined $750.