A MAN has told a jury that his finger was allegedly broken by a fellow motorist during a road rage incident in the Lake District.

Magnus McIntosh, of Cockermouth, claims he was subjected to an unprovoked attack by Kevin Taylor on June 18 last year.

Taylor denies one charge of causing Mr McIntosh grievous bodily harm following the alleged incident near Grasmere.

This is said to have occurred while the two men were travelling in their respective cars on the A591.

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Taylor has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court, where a jury today heard evidence from Mr. McIntosh.

It was around 7pm when Mr McIntosh said he was driving away from the Newby Bridge area where he had been working. He knew the road well, and travelled on it daily.

He and other motorists were behind a slowly moving vehicle which he said was travelling at between 10 and 20mph.

At what he said was a convenient location, Mr McIntosh performed what he said was a safe overtaking move.

One of the two cars he went past belonged to Taylor, who then "pipped his horn" and gestured "aggressively" from behind.

Mr McIntosh pulled over. Having remained in his car with a seat belt still on, he was approached by Taylor.

"We had a bit of a discussion about the overtaking manoeuvre. He was complaining about a child being in the back of his car," said Mr. McIntosh.
"In my eyes it was a completely safe manoeuvre so I was not really concerned.

"He wouldn't allow me to put my point across, and when I did try he ended up punching me to my face. He punched me three times. I put my left hand up to cover my face."

It was at that point that Mr McIntosh alleges his little finger was broken. As Taylor walked away, Mr McIntosh took a photo of the car behind.

This prompted Taylor to return. "He turned around and came back to me and said there is nothing the police could do because he had done nothing wrong. He then hit me another three times," said Mr McIntosh.

He left the scene and reported the matter at Cockermouth police station. He had sustained a broken finger and cuts to his face, and received treatment in hospital the following day.

Taylor, of Lapford Drive, Cramlington, denies unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The trial continues.