Gary Tiffin
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, dangerous driving and criminal damage *
Sentence
10 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 100 hours unpaid work, mental health treatment requirement, £2,500 compensation, 18 months driving ban
On May 12, 2025, Gary Tiffin, a 34-year-old former taxi driver from Colman Avenue, South Shields, dangerously undertook the victim multiple times on John Reid Road in South Shields. He braked suddenly in front of the victim, causing a collision. Tiffin then approached the victim's car, repeatedly punched him in the head through the window, opened the door, put him in a headlock, and tried to bite him on the head and leg. He entered the car, attempted to remove the dash cam causing damage to the rear view mirror, and threw the ignition keys down the road. The victim suffered minor injuries to his lower lip and hands, with blood on his face and leg. The victim reported feeling shaken and fearful for his life.
Pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, dangerous driving and criminal damage. Has 12 previous convictions including assault and drug driving. Judge Robert Adams noted the incident was a road rage attack on the anniversary of his mother's death, aggravated by being in public. Defence cited traumatic childhood, mental health issues and remorse.