Road rager released | Ipswich News | Local News in Ipswich

A MAN who hit a stranger with his car during a road rage incident in Ipswich was released from prison after successfully appealing the sentence.

The 21-year-old was last week facing the next four months in jail after running down Mamoe Oti and driving away.

Mr Oti, 21, was thrown onto the bonnet of the car, smashing the windscreen before bouncing onto the roof but he only received minor injuries.

The driver – Cory Michael McLean – was given a 12-month jail sentence last week after pleading guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle and driving while his licence was demerit point suspended.

He was due to be released on parole on March 17.

But defence barrister Steve Kissick appealed the sentence in Ipswich District Court yesterday, arguing it was “manifestly excessive”.

The court heard McLean repeatedly beeped his horn at a car driven by Mr Oti’s brother on July 5 because he believed it had stopped at a roundabout in East Ipswich too long.

McLean, who was driving three young women to a barbeque, tailgated the car.

As McLean overtook the other car, someone threw a bottle at Mr Oti’s car and made an offensive gesture.

Mr Oti’s vehicle then swerved and blocked Norman Street and the 21-year-old and his brother got out to confront McLean.

But McLean reversed and hit Mamoe.

Mr Kissick told the court the incident was frightening for his client and he was trying to get away rather than using the car as a weapon.

But Crown Prosecutor Sal Vasta said the community demanded courts send a message to people who drove dangerously.

“This is behaviour that really can not be tolerated – we have a road toll that is sky-rocketing,” he said.

Judge Douglas McGill said McLean had not deliberately used his car as a weapon.

McLean was re-sentenced to nine months prison but released immediately on parole with eight days spent in custody declared time already served.

He was also awarded $1800 for the cost of the appeal and will be disqualified for 18 months.