A ROAD rage driver "could have killed" another motorist after throwing a hammer into a moving car.

Paul Irwin lost the rag with a motorist during an incident in Govan and followed the other driver before resorting to violence.

The 42-year-old was driving at a roundabout at Helen Street in Govan on September 11, 2020, when he first encountered driver Allan Chawner and his passenger William Fulton.

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Mr Chawner's car was almost in a collision with Irwin's car and the two men rolled down their windows to exchange words.

Following the shouting match, both cars drove off and turned along separate routes.

But shortly before 4pm, Mr Chawner was at traffic lights on Whitefield Road with a car behind him.

Irwin's car was behind the second vehicle and witnesses then saw him get out of the car with a hammer in his right hand.

Depute fiscal Gail Campbell told Glasgow Sheriff Court last week how an unknown male passenger also got out of Irwin's car and stood behind it.

The driver of the second car watched as Irwin ran alongside his motor with the hammer before cutting in front.

Mr Chawner spotted Irwin in his rear view mirror and attempted to drive off from the traffic lights to turn onto Govan Road.

But at this point Irwin, from Kings Park, started running towards the off side of the car before he leapt forward and flung the hammer into the vehicle.

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It went through the passenger side window, narrowly missing Mr Fulton, and struck the windscreen, cracking it.

Irwin had thrown the hammer with such force that he fell forward on to ground but picked himself up and ran back to his car.

Mr Fulton got out and tried to chase Irwin while Mr Chawner took photographs of him.

The court heard that Irwin was apprehended when he went to speak to the police about a separate manner and was IDd from CCTV footage of the hammer attack.

Sheriff Patricia Pryce said: "That is horrendous."

Irwin's lawyer said: "It was a loss of control", to which the sheriff replied: "Total loss."

She added: "He could have killed somebody.

"What if he had hit them on the head?

"This is about as close as anybody will come to prison without going to prison.

"I want to make it very clear to you I consider this a very serious matter.

"You do not take the law into your hands and you certainly do not use a weapon."

The court heard this was Irwin's second weapons offence within six years.

As a direct alternative to jail, he was placed on a community payback order with 18 months supervision.

He will have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and was also tagged for 12 weeks, meaning he will have to stay at home from 7pm til 7am every day.