Moray man smashed car containing young family with wrench during A96 incident near Elgin

A man who launched an attack in front of a young family on the A96 has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Keith resident Brandon Sharp, 24, appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court for sentencing on Thursday regarding an incident on October 21, 2024.

At around 11am that day, a driver was travelling with his partner and one-year-old daughter when Sharp, initially seen heading in the opposite direction, appeared again behind them and began driving aggressively.

He dangerously overtook on a roundabout near a service station at Coxton Park in Elgin, then suddenly braked harshly, forcing the family’s vehicle to take evasive action to avoid a crash.

Sharp then exited his car armed with a wrench, which he used to smash the windows of the other vehicle.

He started shouting “Where is my money?” and then struck the driver, who was showered with glass, twice in the face with his fist, leaving him bleeding from a cut above his eye.

Sharp fled the scene before police were called.

He was arrested the next day, when it was also discovered he had been driving without insurance.

His solicitor told the court that Sharp fully accepted responsibility, describing the attack as “reprehensible”.

The court also heard that Sharp had no prior convictions.

Sheriff David Harvie said he did not find Sharp’s explanation for the incident, which was not disclosed in court, a “highly credible defence”.

He added: “This is your introduction to the courts?

“A custodial sentence is a serious option here.”

Instead, Sharp was disqualified from driving for 16 months, placed under a one-year supervision order, and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within six months.

He was also made subject to a restriction of liberty order, confining him to his home between the hours of 7pm and 7am every day for the next three months.