An IT worker who backed his car into a cyclist in a road rage incident on a narrow Wellington road has escaped conviction.
Jeremey Glubb was charged with assault using a car as the weapon and dangerous driving after he backed into a cyclist.
Judge Carrie Wainwright today laid out the series of events which led to Glubb's convictions.
After Glubb closely drove past a group of cyclists, one grew "dismayed'' with how close the car was and showed his disproval.
Glubb was intimidated by the cyclist's response and "succumbed to what I can only call road rage'', Judge Wainwright said.
He reversed his car into the cyclist, knocking the man off his bike.
"The level of damage to the bike indicates the force was not great,'' Judge Wainwright said.
Since the offending Glubb had conducted himself in a way which inferred the event was a one off and was out of character, Judge Wainwright said.
Glubb had voluntarily completed 90 hours of work at the Red Cross since the incident.
Judge Wainwright also noted Glubb was on medication at the time of the "road rage'' which, based on medical evidence, could have attributed to the "disproportionate'' response by Glubb.
Glubb had worked in the IT industry for 15 years and currently did consultation work for the Government and other agencies, the court was told.
In sentencing Glubb, Judge Wainwright said a statement from his employer stated he would lose his job if he was convicted.
Prosecutor Mark Wilton argued the offence outweighed any consequence which came from receiving a conviction.
But Judge Wainwright said that "with some trepidation'' she had decided his charges warranted discharge without conviction.
''[But] what he did should not be without consequence.''
She sentenced him to 150 hours' community work, which he would see out at Red Cross.
She also ordered him to pay $1500 in reparation to the cyclist, and was disqualified from driving for eight months.
Glubb did not wish to comment outside court.