Driver denies attempted ‘road rage’ murder of council worker in West Sussex

Driver, 54, denies attempted ‘road rage’ murder of council worker who was thrown 10ft in the air by car that mounted pavement

  • Arthur McGhie, 54, is accused of mowing down a council worker on August 24
  • He is accused of driving his car at Stephen Smith following a ‘road rage’ row 
  • McGhie has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder at Brighton Crown Court

A driver accused of mowing down a council worker following a road rage argument has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and dangerous driving.

Police were called to a quiet residential street in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, after reports a ferocious road rage row had broken out between two drivers, Brighton Crown Court heard.

Video footage, taken by a neighbour, caught the incident on August 24.

Arthur McGhie, 54, is accused of returning to his car, reversing down the road and aiming his car at the other man, Stephen Smith, who was walking away on the pavement.

Arthur McGhie (above), 54, accused of mowing down a council worker in a road rage row has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and dangerous driving

Mr Smith, a council worker in his 40s, flipped 10ft into the air and into a garden hedge. 

The victim miraculously only suffered minor injuries in the impact. 

McGhie, a driver for a local breakdown firm, appeared at Brighton Crown Court today via video link wearing a grey sweatshirt and trousers. 

The Scots-born 54-year-old pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and dangerous driving. He also pleaded not guilty to assaulting two female police officers.

Sussex Police say they were called to reports of an argument between the two men in Cants Lane at around 12.15pm on August 24.

Sussex Police were called to a residential street in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, after reports a road rage row had broken out between two drivers at around 12.15pm on August 24

Sussex Police were called to a residential street in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, after reports a road rage row had broken out between two drivers at around 12.15pm on August 24

McGhie's bail was refused with the judge saying that the case was 'extremely serious', Brighton Crown Court heard on Friday. Above, police at the scene of the incident

McGhie’s bail was refused with the judge saying that the case was ‘extremely serious’, Brighton Crown Court heard on Friday. Above, police at the scene of the incident

Mr Smith was taken to hospital to be treated for cuts and bruises following the incident. 

Rhodri James, defending, applied for bail for McGhie with a condition that the defendant would reside with his sister in Scotland.

But Judge Christine Laing refused bail saying the case was ‘extremely serious incident’.

McGhie is due to go on trial at Lewes Crown Court on March 1 next year.