Tropical fish trader assaulted gas delivery driver who blocked him in 'because he was feeling the effects of Brexit'
- John Brydon, 48, got angry currency changes were affecting customer sales
- Laid into Andrew Hunt who was delivering gas cylinders at shop in Brentwood
- Asked him to move his truck then pushed him to the ground, cutting his head
John Brydon, 48, got angry currency changes were affecting customer sales and laid into a man dropping off gas cylinders in Brentwood
A tropical fish trader assaulted a delivery driver after getting frustrated about the after-effects of Brexit, a court heard.
John Brydon, 48, got angry currency changes were affecting customer sales and laid into a man dropping off gas cylinders in Brentwood, Essex.
After asking victim Andrew Hunt to move his 'f****** truck', Brydon then pushed him to the ground, causing him to cut open his head.
CCTV footage later showed Brydon walking away from the scene, running his hands through his hair and asking for people to help.
Basildon Crown Court heard how the incident unfolded on January 12.
Brydon had pulled up outside his tropical fish shop, H20 Aquatics, to unload boxes of stock.
He had ten minutes to park in accordance with his agreement with the council but as he did so, Mr Hunt turned up to drop off gas cylinders at a neighbouring night club.
Another vehicle had also pulled up behind Brydon, blocking him in.
The disagreement then broke out between the two men, resulting in Mr Hunt suffering a two-and-a-half inch cut to the head which needed 11 stitches.
Brydon pleaded guilty to causing assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) on Monday.
After asking victim Andrew Hunt to move his 'f****** truck', (pictured) Brydon then pushed him to the ground, causing him to cut open his head
Defence barrister Janick Fielding said his client was a hard-working man, but was feeling the effects of Brexit.
He said: 'The defendant is someone who works very hard, does long hours and is very dedicated to his business.
'He found himself inconvenienced by the lorry. There is no dispute that the two men spoke to each other in a gruff and unpleasant manner.
'In hindsight, he should have not reacted to it but one could not have foreseen the injury from that action.
'He was clearly shaken by what happened, his first reaction was to go to offer help. He is very remorseful. It's not something he would normally do.'
Mr Fielding also spoke of the long hours Brydon spent driving, including an hourly commute to work and a weekly trip to the Netherlands to buy supplies.
Brydon, of Brentwood, was ordered to pay compensation of £300 and £500 in costs
He was allowed to walk free from court after being given a three-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months
Sentencing him, Judge David Pugh said: 'You did not intend to cause him any injury, but this was a nasty laceration.
'Although you have previous convictions for violence, none of them are recent and your remorse was genuine.'
Brydon, of Brentwood, Essex, was ordered to pay compensation of £300 and £500 in costs.
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