A father of six was arrested after a violent altercation outside a Taco Bell in Merseyside. Bryan Southern, 55, intended to address bullying of his child by another parent’s sons. However, the meeting turned violent, with Southern reportedly driving his car at the other father but crashing into a lamppost. The incident escalated further in the Taco Bell parking lot, where the two men engaged in a physical confrontation.
During the confrontation, the other parent allegedly retrieved a hammer from his car, leading to a physical altercation. Both parties’ sons were also involved, attempting to damage the vehicles. The court acknowledged the background of bullying involving the sons but emphasized that the situation escalated quickly, resulting in Southern driving recklessly towards the other parent.
CCTV footage captured the moment when Southern’s car collided with a lamppost after hitting the other parent, causing minor injuries. Despite leaving the scene initially, Southern was later apprehended. He admitted to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving, leading to a 30-month prison sentence and a three-year driving ban.
The defense highlighted the ongoing bullying incidents involving the children as a contributing factor to the escalation of events. Southern expressed regret for his actions, attributing his reckless behavior to the emotional turmoil of the situation. Thankfully, serious injuries were avoided during the volatile encounter.