A man with six children was arrested after a violent altercation outside a Taco Bell restaurant. Bryan Southern, aged 55, had arranged to meet another father to address allegations of bullying against his child. However, the meeting turned violent, with Southern reportedly driving his car at the other father but crashing into a lamppost.
The incident took place in Kirkby, Merseyside, around 12:30 p.m. on July 20. Southern drove to the Taco Bell parking lot where he confronted Andrew Sanders, who arrived shortly after in his own vehicle. According to court proceedings, Sanders allegedly used a hammer from his car’s trunk during the confrontation.
The court heard that both men’s sons were involved in damaging the cars during the altercation. It was revealed that Southern believed his son was being bullied by Sanders’ sons, leading to the violent confrontation. The prosecution stated that the situation escalated quickly, resulting in Southern driving his car at Sanders, causing him injuries.
CCTV footage showed Southern’s car crashing into a lamppost after hitting Sanders, who suffered leg abrasions. Southern fled the scene but was later apprehended after a police chase. He admitted to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving, resulting in a 30-month jail sentence. Additionally, he was banned from driving for three years and three months.
During the court proceedings, Southern’s defense attorney mentioned ongoing bullying incidents involving the victim’s son. Southern expressed regret for his actions, attributing the escalation to the emotional impact of the situation. Despite the seriousness of the incident, serious injuries were fortunately avoided.
