Darts legend Jocky Wilson’s driver caused another motorist to lose control of his car after hitting it in a road rage incident.
Kenneth Lonie, who ferried the World Champion around the country during his rise to fame, admitted driving carelessly.
He pursued his 68-year-old victim along Kirkcaldy’s Esplanade after he felt the pensioner had cut him up.
Lonie, 63, then collided with the man, before blocking his car and snatching the keys.
Traffic lights confrontation
Fiscal depute Laurelle Johnstone told the town’s Sheriff Court the other motorist had been at the wheel of a Citroen Berlingo between 2.45 and 3pm, driving towards the Esplanade.
Lonie was in a Peugeot Partner on the inside lane of the dual carriageway Esplanade.
“The witness was in the outside lane and observed that the road was narrowing to a single carriageway so increased his speed to get in front of the accused.
“This caused the accused to take evasive action and he followed the witness, flashing his lights and blowing his horn.
“As the witness was driving on the single carriageway the accused sped up behind him.
“The road became a dual carriageway again and the witness heard a loud bang followed by his vehicle jolting and him losing control.
“This was caused by the accused pulling alongside him and colliding with the offside rear of his vehicle.
“He regained control and continued to drive but had to stop at a set of red traffic lights, where the accused used his vehicle to block him in and prevented him from driving away.”
She said Lonie stormed up to the other driver’s open window and ripped the keys from the ignition.
He drove into a nearby car park and then returned and threw the keys at the man’s car.
He was interviewed by police more than two weeks later and admitted he had been at the wheel.
Blamed other driver’s actions
Solicitor Christine Hagan said Lonie felt it had been the other driver’s actions that had been concerning.
She said: “There appears to have been an earlier incident where the witness caused him to take evasive action.
“He was concerned about the witness’ driving and pursued him to remonstrate with him.”
She added Lonie had no record apart from a speeding conviction from 2012.
Lonie, of Valley Gardens South, Kirkcaldy, admitted driving carelessly on February 18.
He further admitted acting in a threatening and abusive manner towards the other driver by acting aggressively and removing his keys from his vehicle.
Sheriff Maryam Labecki endorsed his licence with four penalty points in relation to the driving charge.
She deferred sentence until next year for the second charge.
Designated driver for darts legend
Lonie has previously told how he was Kirkcaldy-born four-times British champion Jocky Wilson‘s designated driver during his rise to sporting glory.
Lonie said: “He rubbed shoulders with the stars of the day from the likes of page three model Linda Lusardi, to comedians Tommy Cooper and Cannon and Ball and snooker champion Steve Davis.
“Driving back from one tournament late at night we once had a race with wrestler Giant Haystacks on the motorway, which was quite something.”
Wilson died in Kirkcaldy in 2012 but Lonie said he had remained close to the legend’s family.
