A 44‑year‑old Nigerian van driver, Mark Okotie, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison after deliberately running over a cyclist who spat at his vehicle on New Cross Road, Lewisham, during the evening rush hour on 20 March 2024. The incident occurred while Okotie was transporting blood destined for hospital patients.
What led to the court case?
Okotie, a resident of Southwark, moved his van into the left‑hand lane "seemingly without looking" and approached the cyclist. When the cyclist spat toward the open driver’s window, Okotie accelerated, steering sharply and forcing the rider under two wheels. Dash‑cam footage presented in court showed the sudden turn that caused the cyclist to be crushed.
What injuries did the victim sustain?
The cyclist suffered multiple fractures to his pelvis and femur, requiring the insertion of numerous screws and plates. In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, the victim said the injuries prevented him from jogging and other physical activities he previously enjoyed.
What did the court decide?
[Woolwich Crown Court](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts- and-tribunals) found Okotie guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Recorder Neil Haythorne described the act as "a moment of extreme road rage, which appears entirely out of character from what I have heard about you, you caused serious injury to a cyclist." The judge imposed a custodial sentence of three years and six months.
What mitigating factors were presented?
Mandisa Knights, acting as a mitigating officer, highlighted that Okotie is a father of eight and a grandfather to a one‑year‑old. He has previously mentored young people to keep them away from the violence he experienced in his youth. Knights characterised the incident as a "momentary relapse in retaliation" that led to "grave consequences" and urged Okotie to confront the young men he once guided.
What was the reaction from law enforcement?
Det Insp Steven Andrews of the Metropolitan Police noted that Okotie was transporting blood "destined for hospital patients in need" and that his decision to endanger another person's life was a betrayal of the purpose of his delivery.
The case underscores the severe legal repercussions of road‑rage incidents in the UK and serves as a reminder that reckless actions, even when motivated by provocation, can result in substantial prison terms.