Driver, 25, admits killing a grandfather, 51, with one punch in road rage incident

A road rage driver who ‘dangerously tailgated’ a grandad has admitted to killing him with a single punch.

‘Highly aggressive’ Arslan Farooq, 25, faces time behind bars after he left van driver Simon West, 51, with a fatal head injury.

The ‘caring’ victim was rushed to hospital following the Oldbury attack but later died of his injuries. Farooq has since admitted manslaughter and dangerous driving.

The 25-year-old, of Erdington, Birmingham, will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on July 21. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a hearing held at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, May 19.

Farooq dangerously tailgated Mr West as the pair drove along Causeway Green Road and the A4123 Wolverhampton Road on December 10 last year. 

Arslan Farooq faces time behind bars after he left van driver Simon West (pictured), 51, with a fatal head injury

The convict then moved from his lane towards the victim’s van, making an ‘aggressive manoeuvre’ as he travelled in the parallel lane.

He then pulled across the front of Mr West’s van before both men got out of their vehicles. Farooq then punched the 51-year-old, leaving him unconscious.

Mr West underwent hospital surgery for a head injury but died four days later.

Emily Clewer, of the CPS, said: ‘Farooq behaved highly aggressively and dangerously and there is no justification for his behaviour.

‘His actions have devastated Mr West’s family and our thoughts are with them at this time. I hope this case serves as a reminder of the dangers of road rage and how those who behave in ways that endanger others can expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.’

Mr West’s family previously paid tribute to him, describing the 51-year-old as ‘a caring’ man who was ‘loved by everybody he met’.