MINISTERS were under fire last night after it emerged a road rage offender escaped jail as they are FULL.
Lorry driver Fabian Greco received a suspended sentence rather than 18 weeks in prison after attacking a fellow trucker.
District Judge Stephen Leake told him he wouldn’t receive a custodial sentence as the estate is already packed.
This is understood to be the first time a public admission has been made following Operation Safeguard which was triggered in November after a sudden increase in the prison population.
He said: “Road rage is taken very seriously by the courts, but at the same time I note you have no previous convictions and there was no trial as you pleaded guilty which meant the victim did not have to give evidence.
“The prisons are full and Operation Safeguarding guidance was issued to the courts to relieve the pressure on the prison estates as much as possible as people were having to stay and be held in police stations.”
Greco was driving his lorry in Dartford on the Darenth Interchange when he was nearly involved in a crash with another HGV driver.
The other driver, William Harrington, followed Greco after the incident to his yard and got out of his cab to confront him.
Greco, from Dartford, became angry and got close to Mr Harrington’s face.
The victim pushed Greco away who then retaliated. He continued to punch him and kick him when he was on the ground.
Others came to Mr Harrington’s aid and stopped the attack, which was captured on CCTV and Greco was arrested.
He was later charged with assault by beating and admitted the offence when he appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court.
Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed last night said: “It is shocking that this Conservative Government has left dangerous criminals to roam our streets because they recklessly cut the number of cells, they should be locked up in.
“The Tories got rid of more than 10,000 prison cells since 2010, but Dominic Raab couldn’t care less because after an avalanche of bullying allegations he is more focused on the fight to save his job than the fight against crime.
“Labour is the party of law and order and will stand up for victims.”
