Moment crash row turned into terrifying road rage attack when van driver grabbed victim in headlock and put a plastic FORK to his neck

• Craig Hatch saw red after driver he bumped into asked if he was using phone 
• Mr Hatch was charged over the assault that took place in Kirk Brae, Edinburgh

This is the moment a crash row turned into a terrifying road rage attack when a van driver grabbed the victim in headlock and put a plastic fork to his neck.

Craig Hatch, a self-employed joiner, turned nasty after the driver he bumped into questioned whether he was using his phone on Kirk Brae in Edinburgh on July 6, 2021.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on January 21, Mr Hatch pled guilty to assault to injury and was ordered to pay the victim £400 compensation. The court also fined him £240.

The assault took place at around 1pm whilst the man’s two-year-old son was strapped into the back seat. He has chosen to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions.

Craig Hatch, a self-employed joiner, turned nasty after the driver he bumped into questioned whether he was using his phone on Kirk Brae in Edinburgh on July 6, 2021

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on January 21, Mr Hatch (pictured right) pled guilty to assault to injury and was ordered to pay the victim £400 compensation. The court also fined him £240

Dash cam footage captured the incident.

Both drivers exited their vehicles and inspected the damage.

Mr Hatch said his foot slipped off the brake of his red Ford van, causing the bump.

When he was asked if he was on his mobile phone, he launched a foul-mouthed rant and vicious assault.

After squaring up to the driver, Mr Hatch held him in a headlock and forced him against the rear of his vehicle, putting a plastic fork to his throat.

The assault took place at around 1pm whilst the man’s two-year-old son was strapped into the back seat

The van driver, Craig Hatch, is seen confronting the victim 

Mr Hatch forced the victim against the rear of his vehicle, putting a plastic fork to his throat

Moments later, he tossed the driver onto the pavement where he was further assaulted.

After the victim returned to his feet he was pushed. He then entered the car and called the police.

Mr Hatch, who also returned to his vehicle, began a tirade of abuse through his open window.

‘Make sure you tell the f****** truth, you don’t need to worry though I have insurance,’ he shouted.

Moments later, Mr Hatch tossed the driver onto the pavement

Mr Hatch further assaulted the victim before they returned to their vehicles

Speaking on Friday, the anonymous driver said: ‘It was meant to be a quick trip to the grocery [shop], but turned out to be a nightmare.

‘I only asked him about using his phone, but could not have predicted his reaction and things escalated quickly.

‘I did not want to engage in any confrontation as I was worried for the safety of myself and my little son, who had to witness the incident from his rear-facing seat. The unprovoked attack left us both very distressed.’

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: ‘I can confirm around 6 July 2021, police received a report of a road crash and assault in Kirk Brae, Edinburgh.

‘Officers attended and a 39-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.’

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