UPS driver, Glynn Williams, 37, from Dartford in Kent, was nailed after his distinctive brown-coloured van was spotted at the scene by victims and other motorists
A delivery driver, who hurled rocks from his van at passing cars ‘for fun’, has been jailed for 10 years.
UPS driver, Glynn Williams, 37, from Dartford in Kent, was nailed after his distinctive brown-coloured van was spotted at the scene by victims and other motorists.
Maidstone Crown Court heard today he was the only UPS driver in the Cranbrook area of Kent where the attacks took place – and that his log of deliveries placed him at the scene for the crimes.
The court heard how Williams threw rocks from his works van on numerous occasions, many of them at women drivers with children in the back seat.
Two drivers were injured by the rocks thrown at their cars, with one mother called Jennie Ivinson struck in the face by a rock thrown by Williams.
Other cars were left with shattered windscreens and windows and dents to the bodywork during the spate of attacks between January and September 2015.
When he was first arrested in October 2015 Williams claimed that he had ‘found the rocks’ in his van on 15 separate occasions and was simply getting rid of them.
He denied a string of charges against him, but was found guilty of two counts of assault, 14 counts of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life be endangered and two further counts of criminal damage and jailed for 10 years.
The court heard previously how Williams ‘did not give a hoot’ about the consequences of his actions.
Alex Rooke, prosecuting, told the court that Williams had ‘a habit of chucking rocks at vehicles’, and ‘did not give a hoot for the blindingly obvious risk to life and limb’.
Judge Martin Joy told Williams: ‘The impact of this series of offences could have been fatal. This was sheer wicked activity on your part.’
Two drivers were injured by the rocks thrown at their cars, with one mum called Jennie Ivinson struck in the face by a rock thrown by Williams
The court heard how Williams threw rocks from his works van on numerous occasions, many of them at women drivers with children in the back seat
A spokesman for Kent Police said today: ‘A van driver who deliberately hurled rocks at passing cars during a spate of incidents in the Cranbrook area has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
‘Glynn Williams smashed the windscreens of moving vehicles and caused injuries to at least two drivers whilst he was working as a delivery driver in 2015.
‘Williams targeted motorists in rural areas, in and around the town between 23 January and 28 September 2015.
The court heard previously how Williams ‘did not give a hoot’ about the consequences of his actions
‘One victim suffered serious injuries to her face. Some drivers also had young children in their vehicles at the time.’
He added: ‘Williams was arrested on 15 October 2015 following a media appeal, which led to a number of victims coming forward.
‘Witnesses told officers they had seen a van he had been driving, before or after the incidents. During police interview he denied any wrong doing and claimed residents in the area had a grudge against him.’
Police Constable Lee Oakley said: ‘This is a very strong sentence and one which really reflects just how dangerous and reckless Williams’ actions were.
‘The vehicles he targeted were sometimes travelling at considerable speeds, before they were struck by large rocks, sometimes shattering windscreens and completely obscuring the vision of drivers.
‘It is no exaggeration to say that someone could quite easily have been killed as a result of Williams’ thoughtless crimes.
‘Why he ever set out to deliberately commit such offences remains unclear.
‘What we do know is that his actions resulted in drivers being injured, including one woman who suffered some shocking injuries to her face.
‘Williams is now paying the price for his sheer stupidity and I’m delighted that justice has been served to the many victims who came forward and provided us with the evidence which proved his guilt.’
This afternoon UPS spokesperson said: ‘UPS can confirm that an employee of a subcontractor engaged by UPS was involved in an incident in Kent in 2015.
‘Subsequently, the driver’s contract was terminated by the subcontractor via their own disciplinary procedures. UPS can also confirm that it terminated its contract with the subcontractor in 2015.
‘Safety throughout the organisation, especially road safety, is of the utmost importance to UPS. As such, UPS investigates all incidents and takes any issues raised extremely seriously.’