A set-up’ says angry pensioner

PENSIONER Donald Bowden, president of the Nene Parade Action Group in March, has been convicted of assaulting a driver in a road- rage incident.

Bowden punched Ian Hirsch and bit him on the finger after being involved in a "near miss" with a car driven by Mr Hirsch in Dartford Road, March, Fenland magistrates were told.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Frederick said Mr Hirsch had been driving along Dartford Road, and had indicated to go round a vehicle before Bowden had pulled out of a junction and into his path on June 18.

Mr Hirsch managed to avoid Bowden's vehicle, and Bowden became verbally abusive. When Mr Hirsch said he would call the police, Bowden punched him. Again Mr Hirsch said the police would be alerted, and Bowden punched him again.

The court was told that when police interviewed Bowden, he said: "I believe this is a set up to discredit the Nene Parade Action Group."

Bowden, 66, of Nene Parade, March, had a previous conviction for assault, which again involved biting a finger.

Giving evidence in the witness box, Bowden said the Action Group had raised a petition, calling on the police to take action against crime, and calling on the council to clear up the river bank.

He claimed there had been police corruption and collusion in the bringing of the case against him, and he had been "set up".

Bowden said he knew nothing about the assault on Mr Hirsch and was not present at the scene of the alleged incident. He also said his various disabilities would have made it impossible for him to carry out the alleged assault.

Defending, Caroline Allison said Bowden had a mistrust of the police, and had been outraged at the allegation against him.

Bowden denied assault but was found guilty after a two-day trial.

He announced his intention to appeal against the conviction, and sentencing was adjourned until March 8 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.