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Dangerous driver tailgated and intimidated terrified woman along the M2 and A2 for 20 miles to Canterbury

Beatbox bully James Fox intimidated a young female driver when she refused to allow him to push his 4x4 ahead of her on the M2.

The 31-year-old musician - who describes himself as a beatboxer - made disgusting hand gestures before harassing her for 27 minutes on the 20-mile journey to Canterbury.

Fox was banned from driving for two years after admitting driving dangerously at Maidstone Crown Court. Stock picture
Fox was banned from driving for two years after admitting driving dangerously at Maidstone Crown Court. Stock picture

Maidstone Crown Court heard how he tailgated the terrified 22-year-old woman, sounding his horn and twice tried to get out of his vehicle to confront her.

Prosecutor Ian Foinette revealed that on another occasion he made an attempt to open her passenger-side door - leaving his victim in tears.

He said that the woman - who was not named in court - was so panicked she called her mum and dad for support - and was too scared to leave the road.

"She had no way of escaping and nowhere to escape to, " he added.

Now Fox, from south-west London has been banned from driving for two years after admitting driving dangerously in February 2019.

When he was arrested and told the woman had taken pictures of his vehicle, he arrogantly asked officers what the 'protocol' was for drivers to use phones in traffic. Stock picture
When he was arrested and told the woman had taken pictures of his vehicle, he arrogantly asked officers what the 'protocol' was for drivers to use phones in traffic. Stock picture

When he was arrested and told his victim had taken pictures of his vehicle, he arrogantly asked police what the "protocol" was for drivers to use phones in traffic.

Mr Foinette added: "He was suggesting that somehow she was at fault, when this was prolonged bad driving by him who showed deliberate disregard for her safety.

"This was road rage with him harassing and intimidating a 22-year-old girl on her way to work in Canterbury."

The court heard how the victim had joined the M2 from the A249 at 8.15am when Fox's 4x4 tried to push in front of her Ford - when she didn't think there was enough space.

"What resulted was almost half-an-hour of intimidation and harassment, which began with tailgating her vehicle on the M2 and then A2. He was making gestures and sounding his horn."

The woman had joined the M2 from the A249 when Fox's 4x4 tried to push in front of her Ford car. Stock picture
The woman had joined the M2 from the A249 when Fox's 4x4 tried to push in front of her Ford car. Stock picture

Mr Foinette said on other occasions he got in front of the Ford and deliberately slowed down, causing traffic to back up behind them.

The prosecutor added that other drivers - realising what was going on - then acted as a shield to protect the woman, until police arrived to deal with another accident and he fled.

He added that at one point Fox had written "Sorry" on a sign and held it up.

She then made her way to work and reported the incident - but her mother was so worried she travelled to Canterbury to comfort her.

The victim told the court, in a written impact statement, she had been left with feelings of paranoia "thinking he would come back and would be waiting for me."

'This was prolonged bad driving by him who showed deliberate disregard for her safety...'

Fox, who keeps reptiles and snakes in his bedroom - claimed it was a "one-off" incident.

But Judge Steven Thomas told him that he had seen drivers reacting badly before when they have not been able to push into traffic, adding: "But you have taken this to a new level!"

Fox was also given a 10 month jail sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work for the community.

The judge added that he accepted it was an aberration and he had shown some remorse at the time.

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