Bolton man Samuel Melia struck motorist with bat in road rage incident

Samuel Melia struck the driver with the bat a number of times leaving him with severe injuries.

Bolton Crown Court heard Melia, of Gordon Avenue, Deane, was a passenger in a Ford Fiesta in the town in April, 2018 when the vehicle was hit from behind by another car.

Melia got out and became involved in a confrontation with the driver, shouting at him and knocking a cigarette out of his mouth.

The driver then got back into his car and hit the vehicle Melia had been in once again.

Melia then got the rounders bat from the car and struck the man a number of times.

Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said: “The complainant initially went to Bolton Royal Hospital.

"There was swelling to the left side of his face and he was unable to open his mouth.

“An X-ray revealed there was a fracture to the left side of his jaw.”

Melia appeared in court for sentence after admitting causing grievous bodily harm during the incident, but it was accepted he had not struck him directly to the face.

He also admitted a series of offences from July, 2018.

The court heard Melia was found in a Volkswagen Golf in Blackburn Road, Bolton, which had previously been stolen.

Inside the vehicle police found 12 grams of cocaine worth between £850 and £970 and a collapsible baton.

Melia was charged with having the drugs with the intention of supplying them but claimed it was for personal use and a jury previously acquitted him of dealing.

He admitted possession of the drug, having an offensive weapon and stealing the vehicle.

Representing him, defence counsel Rebecca Filletti asked for him to be spared jail.

She said: “The defendant understands the seriousness of the matters he is to be sentenced for.”

But she said the judge could be “confident he is not going to come before the court again.”

Judge David Temkin QC suspended a sentence of eight months for two years and ordered the Melia to attend at 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.