Learner driver threatened to kill instructor and examiner

A learner driver who threatened to kill his instructor and the examiner when the brakes were put on his driving test could be facing jail.
Burnley Magistrates Court.Burnley Magistrates Court.
Burnley Magistrates Court.

Antony Kevin Alltree (25) who had already failed his test last August and had spent more than £2,500 trying to pass it, “kicked off” and terrorised John Williams and Kenneth Spencer, repeatedly swearing at the pair and refusing to calm down, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates were told how jobless Alltree flew into a rage after he was stopped from going across a junction on the test.

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Mr Williams, an examiner with a decade of experience behind him, had applied the brakes on the dual controls as he thought Alltree didn’t have time to get across.

The furious defendant, who branded the decision “ridiculous” told Mr Williams: “You wouldn’t have done that if you knew who I was,” got out of the car and slammed the door shut.

When instructor Mr Spencer got out and tried to calm Alltree down he threatened: “All I have to do is make one phone call and you are both dead. I will kill you.”

The court was told Mr Spencer got in the vehicle and began to drive it back to the test centre as Alltree chased behind after it.

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Alltree had earlier admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Nelson on February 9th.

The defendant, of Eagle Street, Nelson, had pleaded guilty on a basis, claiming he did not make a death threat to the two men but made a threat of physical violence to the instructor.

The court heard he told the police: “I called him a p**** and said I would kick his head in. That’s what I said.”

The case had been adjourned for a trial over the facts, but one was not held, after Alltree on Thursday accepted he did say the things the victims reported, in temper and frustration.

He was bailed until April 25th for a pre-sentence report.

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Prosecutor Mr Andrew Robinson told the hearing Alltree was taking his test at 8-20am. Mr Spencer had been teaching the defendant to drive for eight months and was in the examiner’s vehicle when the test was taking place.

The defendant set off from the Nelson Driving Test Centre, and came to a junction at a roundabout on Scotland Road.

Mr Robinson continued: “The examiner says as he approached the first of two roundabouts, he stopped at the junction to give way and then decided it was OK to set off.

“The examiner didn’t agree with the decision and he applied the brakes on the dual controls as he felt there was not enough time for him to get across the junction safely. Mr Alltree didn’t respond well to that and said there had been no need to do that as he had enough time.”

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The prosecutor said words were exchanged and by this time Alltree was swearing and saying it was ridiculous and became more agitated and angry.

The prosecutor added: “The instructor said he was very shaken up and scared. He says he is only not five feet two and Mr Alltree is considerably taller. He has not experienced anything like that before.”

Mr Graeme Parkinson (defending) said he suffered from ADHD, had anger management issues and had been diagnosed with severe anxiety. A driving test was a very stressful situation.