A woman driving down a remote Perthshire road on a dark winter’s evening endured a terrifying ordeal after a man stopped his car in front of hers and approached it making an offensive hand gesture, Perth Sheriff Court has heard.
Stephanie Florence had three young children in her vehicle and was only able to drive away from William Moultrey by reversing away from him and then pulling out.
Moultrey (58), of Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore, admitted that on January 14 on the A822 Greenloaning to Crieff road, near Muthill, he drove carelessly and overtook vehicles and, when returning to the nearside of the carriageway, without warning he broke sharply in front of a car being driven by Mrs Florence, causing her to brake heavily to avoid a collision.
He further admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner, approaching Mrs Florence’s car, making a gesture to her and committing a breach of the peace.
Sentence was deferred until July 21 for background reports.
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown told the court that the incident happened at around 6pm when the the roads were slushy.
Mr Brown noted, “Being a woman alone on a country road she was extremely frightened by the manoeuvre and the situation she found herself in.”Middle finger gestureMoultrey stopped his car, got out and walked towards Mrs Florence’s car, giving a “middle finger gesture.”
She reversed her car to get away and was able to drive past and move on.
Moultrey’s solicitor Cliff Culley explained that his client is an HGV driver who was travelling home from Bellshill.
He stated, “It appears to have been a one-off, out-of-character incident.”
Sheriff Paul Arthurson said, “I’m dealing with an appalling breach of the peace which I can imagine terrified the woman.”