AN ELDERLY motorist from west Cumbria who used pepper spray on a fellow driver during a parking dispute outside a Maryport supermarket has been sentenced by a crown court judge.

Paul Eldridge, 83, appearing before a judge at Carlisle Crown Court, denied an alleged affray which prosecutors originally said had involved him using the pepper spray.

The pensioner, of Rook Farm Close, Tallentire, near Cockermouth, denied that allegation but he pleaded guilty an alternative lesser charge of using threatening behaviour. The prosecution accepted that plea.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke said the incident that led to the charge happened in the car park of the Maryport branch of the B&M store on March 18 last year. Eldridge had parked his camper van in the car park.

“There was some unpleasantness about who was manoeuvring in what manner,” said Mr Burke.

The other driver left his car and approached the defendant, and during the course of the altercation, the other [victim] came to him to demand an apology.

There were later references to offensive weapons allegedly in the possession of the defendant but those charges were not being proceeded with, said Mr Burke.

The pensioner happened to have the pepper spray in his motorhome, having been given it by a friend but he said it was not there for any untoward purpose.

The prosecutor continued: “When [the victim] came to demand an apology, the defendant produced a small canister of spray and in fact triggered it when the [victim] has his back to him so it didn’t land on his face.”

The victim later reported feeling a “burning” and “tickling” sensation in the back of his throat and wetness on his back. The defendant was seen emptying the spray canister on to the ground.

News and Star: The incident happened in the car park outside B&M in Maryport, the court heard.The incident happened in the car park outside B&M in Maryport, the court heard. (Image: Google)

The court heard that Eldridge had some 'ancient' offences on his record, having last been in trouble in 1961. Defence barrister Judith McCullough told the court that the defendant had just finished a course of radiotherapy for cancer.

There was no further mitigation put before the court.

Recorder Ciaran Rankin told Eldridge: “On March 18 last year you were involved in an unpleasant exchange in a car park and it appears that you discharged some spray causing [the victim] some distress and discomfort.”

The judge imposed a 12-month conditional discharge along with an order to pay prosecution costs of £100. At an earlier hearing the defendant pleaded guilty to a second charge of possessing a prohibited weapon.

The sentence means the defendant will not be punished provided he stays out of trouble for the next year.