iStockA man “saw red mist” and ran over a stranger in a fit of road rage, a court has heard.
Mark Hughes, 49, ploughed into the 51-year-old stranger in Glasgow’s Drumchapel on October 13, 2025.
Hughes had been enraged after a member of the victim’s family had earlier come close to crashing into him with her car.
This led to an argument between the victim and Hughes, of Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, which turned violent.
Hughes pointed his Hyundai at the man and struck him, however the victim escaped with non-serious injuries.
Hughes pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a charge of assault to injury and danger of life.
The dad-of-three had initially faced a charge of attempted murder.
The court heard that the men had been in Papa Joe’s roll shop and left the premises separately.
The victim entered his Audi A2 while his family member got into her vehicle. Hughes meantime drove off in his Hyundai.
The hearing was told that the woman went down a side street and tried to reverse her car which almost caused a collision with Hughes.
He went on to pull up beside the woman and an argument took place between them.
The victim and another man approached Hughes and a verbal disagreement took place.
This resulted in the man chasing Hughes’ car.
The group returned to Papa Joe’s and got out of their vehicles.
Prosecutor Lauren Aitchison said: “Hughes accelerated his vehicle and at speed deliberately turned towards the group of people who had to take evasive action but the car struck [the victim] and knocked him to the ground.”
Hughes drove away at speed through a red light.
The man was taken to hospital, where he was found to have suffered muscle and tissue damage but no broken bones.
Hughes handed himself into police two days later.
Terry Gallanagh, defending, told the court that his client acted out of “fear” and saw “red mist.”
The lawyer added: “[The victim] and the other man were verbally abusive to Mr Hughes and struck his vehicle and his window was punched.
“He is remorseful for his misconduct and understands striking someone with a vehicle is an extremely serious matter.
“He is relieved that the action damage was minimal.”
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Louise Arrol KC.
She said: “You have pleaded guilty to an extremely serious matter.
“A car is a weapon and a deadly weapon.
“I am satisfied that you are not a suitable candidate for bail and you will be remanded in custody.”
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