A YOUNG man launched a campaign to torment a taxi driver after a road-rage incident, a court heard yesterday.
Darlington Youth Court heard how Scott Brian Kirwan, 18, of Thirlmere Road, Darlington, hurled abuse at taxi driver Michael Kennedy and damaged his home, after Mr Kennedy allegedly came close to knocking Kirwan off his scooter.
Kirwan pleaded guilty to the damage and abuse, and was given a one-year conditional discharge and a one-year restraining order banning any form of aggression towards Mr Kennedy.
The court heard how, in December last year, Kirwan had thrown stones at the windows of Mr Kennedy's home, and brandished a piece of wood at him.
Derek Walton, prosecuting, said Kirwan, then 17, and other youths had gathered outside Mr Kennedy's home on several occasions shouting abuse.
He said that Kirwan had also thrown a bottle at Mr Kennedy's car while his ten-year-old daughter was inside.
Kirwan claimed his behaviour was provoked by Mr Kennedy's driving earlier in the year.
Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said that Kirwan and other youths thought Mr Kennedy drove very fast.
"However, Mr Kirwan knows he reacted to the situation in a way that may have provoked even more difficulty," he said.
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