Jailed: Father waved fake gun at man and girl, six, in Telford road rage incident
A father from Telford has been jailed after threatening a driver with a fake gun because he thought he had been cut up on a road.
Ritvars Dzerve was driving on the A442 in Telford, when he pulled up alongside a man, who had his six year old daughter in the passenger seat.
He pointed the silver pistol at the man, and later in the day he pointed the pistol at the man again when he drove past him.
Dzerve pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation fire arm with intent to cause fear of violence yesterday at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Judge Peter Barrie sentenced him to 10 months in prison, and said: “Some times people get built up anger when they are driving, it is much better dealt with in a calm and measured way.”
Prosecutor Robert Edwards said at around 1.45pm on May 24, the victim was driving when he moved to the right hand lane to pass two cars. He then noticed an Audi A3 car begin tailgating him.
He said the man in the car, Dzerve, 27, of Dalford Court, Telford, was getting aggressive, and then he pulled into the other lane and alongside him.
Dzerve had his window down, and he then pointed a silver pistol at the other driver, who immediately pulled back in fear for his and his daughter’s safety.
Followed
The court heard he thought the firearm was real, and left the carriageway before calling the police, however he had not got Dzerve’s number plate.
He then began to follow Dzerve, giving a commentary to the police as he did so. He followed the defendant who had pulled into a layby. Mr Anderson successfully took the number plate, and as he drove past Dzerve was continuing to wave the gun.
Police were deployed to the area, along with armed response officer and the defendant was taken in for questioning.
He said he purchased the gun to show his girlfriend.
Danny Smith, defending, said his client was remorseful and admits he should not have done what he did.
Mr Smith urged the judge to impose a suspended sentence, so his client could keep his job and be able to see his son when he visited from Latvia.
However Judge Barrie imposed a 10 month sentence, of which Dzerve will serve half.
