Hammersmith Man Jailed for Two Years For Road Rage Attack
Clifford Harper deliberately drove into cyclist after angry exchange of words
A 51-year-old property developer from Hammersmith has been jailed for over two years after seriously injuring a cyclist in a road rage incident.
Clifford Harper, who is married with one daughter and lives near Ravenscourt Park, swerved his BMW into Peter Corfe after the two had exchanged words in heavy traffic in central London back in March of this year. Harper then got out of his car and told Mr Corfe in front of a number of witnesses he would do it again. The victim was in hospital for nine days with his injuries.
Clifford Harper
In mitigation Harper’s barrister said that he was under a number of personal and financial pressures and that he had momentarily lost his mind. It is understood that his company was experiencing cash-flow issues due to the slow property market and he was concerned about his ability to continue supporting his family and his elderly parents who required expensive care. He also had health issues and, having had open heart surgery a few years ago, had been told that his life expectancy was significantly reduced.
Having admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, Harper requested the opportunity to address the court and apologise to Mr Corfe and his family as well as his own. He had previously told friends he was expecting a custodial sentence but had anticipated it would be for a few months.
The judge acknowledged the offence was out of character but said that the footage was shocking and that Mr Corfe could have been killed. As well as a jail sentence of two years and three months, Harper was ordered to pay £5,000 compensation to Mr Corfe and banned from driving for three years.
He is a director of Bellwald Properties which has a number of developments across West London including the Kings Place development on Chiswick High Road.
October 31, 2017