A tragic road rage incident in Oldbury, just two weeks before Christmas, has resulted in the conviction of 25-year-old Arslan Farooq. Farooq has been jailed for eight years and three months after pleading guilty to manslaughter and dangerous driving. His victim, 51-year-old Simon West, died four days after being fatally punched during the altercation on A4123 Wolverhampton Road on December 10 last year.

According to witness statements, Farooq confronted Mr West after forcing him to pull over, and in a fit of rage, punched him once, causing him to fall to the ground. Farooq then left the scene in his Vauxhall Astra, leaving Mr. West with serious head injuries.

CCTV footage retrieved by investigators revealed the true events leading up to the fatal attack. Farooq was seen tailing Mr. West’s black Peugeot van through traffic lights at the junction of Pool Road and Causeway Green Road. Both vehicles turned right onto Wolverhampton Road, where Farooq aggressively swerved in front of Mr. West, forcing him to stop.

Following the attack, Mr. West was rushed to the hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, resulting in his death on December 14 from a traumatic head injury. Mr. West’s family paid tribute to him, describing him as a loving and caring father, brother, son, partner, and recently a grandfather.

Farooq was re-arrested on December 15 and appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on May 19, where he admitted to manslaughter and dangerous driving.

In response to the sentencing, Detective Inspector Ranj Sangha from the Homicide Team of West Midlands Police expressed that such actions have no place on the roads and that the incident had tragic consequences. The investigation, however, allowed authorities to establish the truth and bring the responsible individual before the courts. He hopes that the sentencing will bring some measure of peace to Mr. West’s grieving family.

In addition to the jail term, Farooq has been banned from driving for 12 months following his release.