A MOTORIST sentenced for driving dangerously on the M6 in Cumbria concluded his role in the case by telling the judge that dealing with him and staff at Carlisle Crown Court was “a pleasure.”

Judge James Adkin had just told 43-year-old Xin Zhou that his driving on the motorway in August last year had been “loutish.” The defendant denied driving dangerously but was convicted after a trial.

Though disappointed with the outcome of the case, said the defendant, it had been a "privilege" and a "pleasure” to have had his case dealt with by the court during the three-day trial. 

As he passed sentence, Judge Adkin summarised the circumstances of the offence, which was captured on another driver's dashcam footage that was shown to the jury.

“On August 16, 2021,” the judge told Zhou, "you were involved in a road traffic incident and the jury found you guilty of driving dangerously… It seems you were driving too fast.

“You were in a rush.

“You were clearly driving faster than the other traffic. You spent 12 seconds tailing a white van and then moved to the inside lane and undertook both the white van and a car.”

The incident happened near to Junction 36 in south Cumbria while the defendant was on the southbound carriageway, the court heard.

The van driver involved had attempted to accelerate past Zhou, who was driving his a grey Audi, but the defendant “cut back in front of him,” which caused the other driver to flash his lights.

The defendant reacted to this by slamming on his brakes.

When the van driver tried again to drive past the defendant, Zhou again moved his car to block him. The judge said that it was the sort of behaviour that is seen from time to time on roads. 

“It’s loutish, it’s intimidating and it’s dangerous,” said the judge. The defendant’s car had been almost stationary in a lane on the M6 Motorway as other motorists drove past at speeds of at least 50mph and above.

“There’s an element of road rage and an element of intimidation,” continued the judge. “Most people who get convicted of road rage style offences get sent to prison, even if it’s only for a short period.”

But Judge Adkin noted the defendant had “no significant criminal record”, with just a caution in 2018 and a driving conviction from when he was a teenager. In view of this, the judge imposed a community order.

This includes a six-week curfew, which will be electronically tagged and will last from 7pm to 7am except on Thursdays and Fridays when the start time will be extended to 10pm.

Zhou, from Lightwater, Surrey, confirmed that he earns a salary in London of £77,000, with a monthly take-home pay of £4,600.

But he outlined that he also has considerable debts and said that his wife does not work. He was given a 12-month driving ban and must pass an extended retest before he can drive independently again.

The judge ruled that he must also pay costs of £750 and a £95 victim surcharge, which he will be allowed to pay at a rate of £75 per month.

It was as the case finished the Zhou, who represented himself throughout the trial, told the judge that while he had not been happy with the jury’s decision he had found his interactions with the judge and the court staff a privilege and a pleasure.

Judge Adkin wished the defendant a pleasant journey home.