Van driver who deliberately ran over cyclist in road rage row jailed but avoids driving ban

Woolwich Crown Court heard how Okotie had moved his van into the left lane “seemingly without looking”, and came close to the male cyclist on New Cross Road.

At the following set of traffic lights, the cyclist then spat in Okotie’s direction, which “went through his open window”.

Horrifying footage of the incident then shows Okotie speeding up towards the cyclist before colliding with him.

Internal dashcam footage shows the driver’s face with almost no reaction as his vehicle drives over the cyclist’s body.

Following the collision, the cyclist was taken to hospital with multiple fractures to his pelvis and suffered a fractured femur.

He required an operation to insert “numerous screws and plates” into his pelvis and leg.

In a victim impact statement, the cyclist told the court that the attack had made him “more cautious of people”.

He said: “Before the incident I was social, I would go out and meet people and mingle. Now I try to avoid people when I am out and about, when I am in a group of people I don’t really know I now tend to keep myself to myself.

“I used to go jogging every morning before work but I’ve not been able to do that since. When I hear a van or a large vehicle coming up behind me when I’m cycling it can make me panic.

“Looking forwards to the future, the incident will continue to have an impact on the things I used to do on a daily basis like running and certain exercise.”

Okotie, a father of eight children, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

However, no driving ban was issued.

Sentencing Okotie, Recorder Neil Haythorne said: “In a moment of extreme road rage, which appears entirely out of character from what I have heard about you, you caused serious injury to a cyclist. You used the van as a highly dangerous weapon.”

Okotie’s defence barrister said he works with young people “to prevent them from entering a world of violence”, which he was “exposed to as a young man”.

Detective Inspector Steven Andrews, who led the investigation, said: “Okotie was driving a vehicle carrying blood destined for hospital patients in need.

“Instead of continuing a journey intended to support potentially lifesaving treatment, he chose to place someone else’s life at risk.

“We acted quickly to secure and review extensive dashcam and CCTV footage, while obtaining crucial witness evidence from those who saw the incident unfold. That meticulous investigative work allowed us to build a clear picture of events, leaving no doubt about Okotie’s culpability.

“I hope this sentence provides a measure of justice for the victim and demonstrates that deliberate acts of violence on London roads will be robustly investigated and prosecuted.”