Assaulted cyclist bears no animosity

Pascal Sutherland sits on his bicycle outside the Dunedin District Court. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
Pascal Sutherland sits on his bicycle outside the Dunedin District Court. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
A Dunedin cyclist who was assaulted during a motorist's fit of road rage has forgiven the man and says, in fact, he feels sorry for him.

Pascal Sutherland was cycling with friend Louise Kennedy in Highcliff Rd in June when Dean Brian Rask, aka Dean Ford, pulled over, confronted the pair and attacked Mr Sutherland.

Rask then got back in his vehicle and drove over Mr Sutherland's bike.

Mr Sutherland said Rask's sentencing - which included $2600 reparation and 120 hours' community service - was a ''good result''.

The case had caused Mr Sutherland much stress, as police had considered charging him in relation to the incident.

''I had to appear in the court and stand in the dock and the judge said `charges are dismissed because of insufficient evidence','' he said.

''That added a bit of stress because we are riding along the road, some guy runs me off the road, smacks me in the face and police have the audacity to try and charge me?''

The charges of disorderly behaviour and fighting in public had made him angry at police, but he bore no animosity towards Rask.

''I just feel sorry for him,'' Mr Sutherland said.

''But he's in a situation of his own making and it was so unnecessary. There was nothing happening, there was nothing wrong.''

Rask's actions had not affected his confidence while biking, but he did not believe it would be the last incident with a motorist.

''It hasn't increased my awareness; I was always aware of what they were like,'' he said.

''We get yelled at and abused all the time.

''I have been standing outside the service station drinking my chocolate milk after my ride and some guy's come up and started nutting off at me about cyclists.

''It's just impatience and it's just intolerance.''

He did not believe there was an ''easy fix'' to the animosity held between motorists and cyclists, but he had some advice for all road users.

''If something happens, take a deep breath and carry on,'' he said.

''Let it go - that goes for everyone.''

Dean Brian Rask was convicted of assaulting Pascal Sutherland, dangerous driving and wilful damage.

He was sentenced in the Dunedin District Court on November 6 to 120 hours' community work and six months' supervision, in which he is to undertake an anger management or stopping violence course.

He was disqualified from driving for six months from November 7 and ordered to pay witness fees of $125 and reparation of $2600.

 

 

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