A 65-year-old has been ordered to pay £1,200 in compensation after punching a man during a parking dispute at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Martin Corfe, from Willow Park in Kennington Crescent, Mancot, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court where he admitted assaulting Stephen Orchard.
The court heard how the incident on December 16 left Orchard with a bloody face after the confrontation escalated into violence.
Both men are 65 years old, with Orchard working as an HGV driver who was delivering equipment to the hospital's renal and diabetic units when the altercation occurred.
Wrexham Maelor HospitalPAThe victim branded Corfe as "nasty" and "angry" in his statement to the court, adding that the incident had left him shaken and upset. Orchard had arrived at the hospital car park between 1pm and 1.30pm and was preparing to offload his delivery.
He "knew he was in the way" but was trying to cause minimal disruption to other motorists. After visiting the renal unit, he returned to find Corfe beeping "aggressively" at him.
The court heard Corfe rolled down his window and threatened Orchard, saying: "Move that lorry now. If you don't, I'm going to knock your f** head off."
Orchard sought help from hospital security, but while waiting, saw Corfe park in front of his lorry. The defendant appeared to retrieve something from his boot before Orchard heard two loud bangs.
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When the victim went to investigate, Corfe punched him above the lip and on the shoulder without warning. Orchard struck back in self-defence before collapsing to the floor with his face "bleeding quite a lot" as Corfe walked away shouting.
Corfe defended his actions in court, claiming Orchard had parked in a disabled parking space that he, as a blue badge holder, wanted to use, reports The Leader.
"Me and my wife went to the hospital and in the car park when we came to a disabled bay, there was a lorry parked there," he told the court.
He alleged Orchard had been verbally abusive, saying: "He told me to f*** off and called me all sorts."
Corfe, who represented himself at the hearing, admitted throwing the first punch but claimed he was provoked.
"I used to be a lorry driver - I know what it's like. I know it's frustrating. But he instigated this...I was more than provoked. I just want this to be over so I can look after my wife."
The court viewed footage from Orchard's lorry before hearing from probation services about potential anger management issues. A probation officer told the court that Corfe "did express remorse and wished he'd just walked away from the situation".
The officer noted Corfe "denied removing anything from the boot" and "realises he could have made different choices".
"It is concerning that the offence took place in a public place; he clearly did retaliate above and beyond," the probation officer added.
Corfe, who represented himself at the hearing, admitted throwing the first punch but claimed he was provoked.
"I used to be a lorry driver - I know what it's like. I know it's frustrating. But he instigated this...I was more than provoked. I just want this to be over so I can look after my wife."
The court viewed footage from Orchard's lorry before hearing from probation services about potential anger management issues. A probation officer told the court that Corfe "did express remorse and wished he'd just walked away from the situation".
The officer noted Corfe "denied removing anything from the boot" and "realises he could have made different choices".
"It is concerning that the offence took place in a public place; he clearly did retaliate above and beyond," the probation officer added.
Wrexham Maelor HospitalPAStephen Copple, Chairman of the Magistrates, told Corfe: "It's a very sad thing, and it's unpleasant for people to see."
"There was provocation, we understand that - but there was an outburst of a disproportionate nature and someone got physically hurt."
The court imposed a 12-month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation activity.
Corfe was also ordered to pay a £352 fine, £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs, in addition to the £1,200 compensation to Orchard.