Audi road-rager who repeatedly punched man at traffic lights and said 'I'll f***ing kill you' is spared jail
John Fitzgerald said “I’ll f***ing kill you” as he punched a motorist multiple times through his car window.
A man who repeatedly punched a motorist in a bout of road rage has been spared jail.
In 2024, John Fitzgerald was the passenger in an Audi that was swerving and driving dangerously near Eastern Road, Portsmouth, when another motorist beeped their horn. The Audi, being driven by Fitzgerald’s partner, followed the motorist through side streets until they reached a set of traffic lights, the court heard.
It was at this point that Fitzgerald, from Park Parade, Havant, got out of the car repeatedly punched his victim through the window, telling him “I’ll f***ing kill you” as his partner assaulted the other person in the car.
In October 2025, the 52-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating. Today (Thursday, May 21), he appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court for sentencing, on crutches and wearing a navy suit jacket, with grey trousers.
A statement from his victim, Mindaugas Sadauskaf, was read out in court. He said: “This has had a profound and lasting affect on me. I sustained injuries to my neck and upper shoulders, with lasting chronic pain to my shoulder joints.
“Emotionally I feel drained and helpless, living with the pain daily. I’m not he person I was before this happened.”
Fitzgerald’s family members, who were supporting him in court, rolled their eyes and shook their heads as the victim impact statement was read out.
Lian Webster, defending, said: “The offence is of some age now, dating back to 2024. The defendant been sat in the criminal justice system for some time.
“It unfortunately has taken some time to reach sentencing, and he has felt the weight of proceedings. It’s clear that there was a deficit in thiking about the consequences of his actions.”
The maximum penalty for Fitzgerald’s offence is six months in custody, depending on the severity - but he instead walked out of court with a community order.
Sentencing, lead magistrate Elizabeth Yeanolle said: “We have considered what has been said, and also the pre-sentence report. This offence is serious enough that we need to make a community order.”
Fitzgerald was given a 12-month community order, with 15 rehabilitation days, and ordered to pay his victim £200 in compensation. He must also pay costs of £100, and a surcharge of £114.