Businessman Jailed for Mowing Down Two Workmen in Mercedes
An impatient businessman with a deadly past has landed behind bars again after hitting two road workers with his Mercedes convertible in North Wales.
Road Rage Gone Wrong on North Wales Roadworks
Richard Pierce, 54, was caught on the B5105 near Ruthin last July. Frustrated by a traffic queue caused by road resurfacing, he decided to dart through despite stop-go signs held by two workmen.
Judge Nicola Saffman slammed Pierce for his “disregard” for road rules. Pierce “took the view he could drive through the roadworks” after less than a minute’s wait, ignoring the safety of the workers.
History of Danger: Killer Driver Strikes Again
Pierce’s criminal record is chilling. He was jailed back in 1995 for killing a pedestrian in a crash. Yet he “clearly has not learned his lesson,” the court heard.
Prosecutor Karl Scholz revealed how Pierce hit Ieuan Jones with his car’s front, spinning him to the ground. Jones needed hospital treatment for minor injuries.
Then Pierce hit a second worker, John Madoc Jones, with his car’s wing mirror, sending him reeling. The businessman sped off without stopping.
Excuses Fall Flat – Prison Sentence Delivered
When police later questioned Pierce at his Flintshire home, he bizarrely claimed the workmen had attacked his car and might “try to kill him.”
Pierce admitted dangerous driving but insisted the roadworks were not progressing and he “did not think much was happening.”
Defence lawyer Alan Williams pleaded for leniency, citing Pierce’s stressful business troubles and a family who depend on him. He said Pierce showed “genuine victim empathy” and had even looked into possible ADHD.
But Judge Saffman was unmoved. She sentenced Pierce to 14 months in prison, banned him from driving for over two years, and ordered an extended retest before he regains his licence.
“It’s clear you have not learned your lesson from your previous death by dangerous driving offence. These were two vulnerable pedestrians working in the road. You should have known your actions could have resulted in serious injury or death.”
– Judge Nicola Saffman
