Barrow Dad’s Road Rage Threat Left Motorist ‘Badly Shaken’, Court Told

A road rage incident in Barrow left a motorist badly shaken after a father threatened violence and damaged the victim’s car, a court has heard.

Benjamin Ravetta, 38, of Melbourne Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on January 5.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly told the court the incident happened on June 7 last year near Tesco Express on Rawlinson Street, when the complainant was driving his Honda Civic at around 15mph.

Threats and Damage During Confrontation

After overtaking in his Mazda, Ravetta stopped, ran towards the victim’s vehicle and punched the wing mirror, shattering it. He then kicked the car door and shouted threats, including: “I will smash your head in.”

An eyewitness confirmed the confrontation lasted several minutes and described the victim as visibly distressed. In a statement, the witness said the motorist’s hands were shaking, adding the incident was “completely unexpected”.

The court heard the damage to the vehicle cost £427.21 to repair.

Mitigation Put Forward

Defence solicitor Trystan Roberts said Ravetta believed he was being tailgated and was concerned for the safety of himself and his daughter, who was in the car. He told the court his client accepted his reaction was “utterly inexcusable” and that compensation would be paid.

Ravetta, who has two daughters, is currently unemployed and has previously been assessed for ADHD and autism, which the defence said may have contributed to his behaviour.

Magistrates were told Ravetta had not appeared before the courts since 2011.