A cyclist suffered a traumatic brain injury, a fractured skull, and a brain bleed after a road rage incident captured on video in Edinburgh. The attack occurred on September 20, 2024, when Joseph Hedley, 39, confronted Iain Brown, 34, after an altercation that reportedly began with Brown shouting abuse and shining a light into Hedley's car.
Footage shows Hedley exiting his vehicle, grabbing Brown by the throat, and throwing him forcefully to the ground. Brown lost consciousness during the assault and was left injured in the road as Hedley fled. The incident was shared on social media, leading to Hedley turning himself in to the police.
Hedley pleaded guilty to assault causing serious injury, permanent impairment, and danger to life. On October 27, 2026, Edinburgh Sheriff Court sentenced Hedley to a two-year supervision order, requiring him to remain indoors between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. He avoided a custodial sentence.
Prosecutors condemned the attack, stating it was "violent, sustained and unprovoked" and could have had more devastating consequences. They emphasized their commitment to prosecuting such road rage incidents. Hedley's defense attorney indicated his client did not intend to cause such severe injuries and has not driven since the incident. The sheriff acknowledged the significant injuries but opted for an alternative to incarceration by a "narrow margin."