A driver who cut up an HGV on a dual carriageway then refused to let him overtake has been banned from the roads.

Michael Newby, 30, was a danger to other drivers and himself, and shouldn’t have been behind the wheel, York Magistrates' Court heard.

Fiona Newcombe, prosecuting, said the 30-year-old drove on the grass verge, slammed on his brakes in front of a lorry, forcing it to stop on a live lane and got out of his vehicle to remonstrate with the lorry driver.

Then he drove slowly in front of the HGV and when it tried to overtake, sped up, making the lorry slow down to pull back into the inside lane.

District judge Adrian Lower said the incident at first glance appeared to be a classic case of “road rage” where a driver lost patience and wanted to be first on the road.

But he had heard how Newby had learnt that day that his brother had been told he had untreatable cancer and other bad medical news in the family.

“You had a lot on your plate, and you were trying to deal with it in a way that meant quite frankly you were a danger to yourself and a danger to other people. You certainly weren’t in a fit state to drive,” the judge told Newby.

Newby, of Askham Richard, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.  He was banned from driving for two years, told to take an extended driving test before driving alone again and given a 12-month community order with 20 days’ rehabilitative activities. He was also fined £400 and ordered to pay a £114 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. He had no previous convictions.

Ms Newcombe said Newby had stopped in a layby on the southbound carriageway of the A19 near Thirsk at 2.45pm on October 18. He was driving a Toyota Hilux VRM and tried to pull out as the HGV drove past.

Instead of going onto the carriageway Newby drove along the grass verge before pulling out behind the HGV and following it for some distance.

Then he overtook it, pulled in front of it and put on his brakes.

For Newby, Liam Jackson said he was usually a competent and reliable driver who had behaved out of character.

He had never been in trouble with the police or the law before.

But the pressures in his family life including financial pressures had affected his emotions, his judgement and his decision-making.

He had contacted the lorry’s company the next day to apologise for his actions and was very remorseful. In August, he had voluntarily completed a drivers’ awareness course successfully.

After October, doctors had realised that they could treat his brother’s cancer and the brother was now doing well.