Man Jailed For Assault On Traffic Warden

A traffic warden was pushed into a restaurant window while issuing a ticket to an illegally parked driver, a court has heard.

The victim was issuing the ticket in the afternoon of Friday 6th January when the car owner, Daniel Corneille of Estuary Road, Sheerness, returned to his vehicle in Sheerness High Street and became angry.

The 47-year-old was sentenced to two years in jail on Thursday (30th November) at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent following the attack.

As Corneille returned to his car he saw the victim had issued him with a parking ticket because Corneille's car was blocking paving which was designed to assist blind people when crossing the road. His car was also parked on double yellow lines.

Corneille approached the traffic warden and started to shout and swear at him before he forcefully pushed him. As the traffic warden was in the middle of taking photos to evidence the offence he was not able to break his fall and fell to the floor after hitting a restaurant window. The victim tried to stand up however Corneille pushed him again causing him to fall backwards. Corneille continued to shout at the man before he got into his car and drove away.

The victim was treated by the ambulance service following the incident and later taken to a local hospital where it was confirmed he had a fractured shoulder.

Detectives investigating the incident used a recording from the victim's body worn footage and also CCTV to identify Corneille. He was arrested on Friday 13th January and later pleaded guilty to the offence.

Investigating officer, PC Jez Chittim told SFM News: "This was an unprovoked attack on the victim who was doing his job and did not deserve to be injured for this. Corneille blamed the incident on ‘having a bad day', but a lot of people have bad days and do not lose control and act in such a violent manner. I hope that this sentencing acts as a reminder to others to not behave in the same manner."