Range rover driver and charity worker in road rage incident outside their homes after the former parked outside his rival's house

An 'almost farcical' bust-up between a Range Rover-driving accountant and a charity worker over parking which led to police being called and accusations of assault has ended up in court.

The ugly row broke out when Gwyn Pierce returned to his home with shopping and found part-time accountant Emyr Lloyd's Range Rover Evoque 4x4 parked outside, magistrates were told.

Mr Pierce dialled 999 claiming that, after telling Mr Lloyd he couldn't leave his car where it was because he had right of access, he had been told to 'f*** off' and punched in the face.

He also alleged grandfather-of-six Mr Lloyd tried to kick him, then got into his car and tried to run him over.

But Mr Lloyd, then 74, who had just returned to his vehicle from a business meeting when the confrontation happened in Denbigh, North Wales, maintained he was in fact on the receiving end of aggressive behaviour from Mr Pierce.

The confrontation on January 9 ended up in a trial before Llandudno Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where Mr Lloyd, now 75, was cleared of common assault.

Magistrates found he acted in self-defence and felt 'threatened' by Mr Pierce's demeanour.

Mr Lloyd's defence solicitor, David Jones, said there had been a 'poor' investigation by North Wales Police, who had not taken a statement from a key eyewitness.

Mr Jones told the hearing: 'Police turn up at the scene and decide, because someone has blood on their lip, they must be the victim and it's Mr Lloyd who has to be taken to the police station.

'You are being asked to accept a 74-year-old (his age at the time) gentleman who's just left a business meeting launched into an unprovoked assault on Mr Pierce.'

Matthew Lloyd, unrelated to Emyr Lloyd, the resident whose statement was not taken by police, gave evidence in court where he described the actions of Mr Pierce as 'almost farcical'.

He recalled: 'He (Mr Pierce) was flailing on the back of (Mr Lloyd's) car.'

The court heard Mr Pierce was angry because Mr Lloyd's car was obstructing the alleyway beside his home.

Despite Mr Pierce demanding that Mr Lloyd leave, his Range Rover was only able to reverse perhaps 'an inch', as Mr Pierce had put a bin in the way, the court was told.

The defendant had to get out and beg Mr Pierce to allow him to drive off.

In evidence, Emyr Lloyd said Mr Pierce shouted 'in a very aggressive loud voice “don't ever park there again”.' 

Mr Lloyd denied swearing or using violence and said Mr Pierce came towards him 'in a threatening manner' so he put up his left hand as a barrier.

'He had totally lost it,' the defendant said. When he reversed slowly, Mr Pierce appeared to launch himself at the back of the car.

Mr Lloyd said: 'I was convinced it was a scam.'

Finding him not guilty of the assault and awarding defence costs, chair of the bench Paula Roberts said: 'We don't feel Mr Pierce's evidence was credible.'

She said Matthew Lloyd and another independent witness were credible and honest and Mr Lloyd had seen Mr Pierce placing a blue bin behind the defendant's car.

Ms Roberts said: 'We found Emyr Lloyd's evidence to be clear, consistent and credible. He was clear in his description of events and stated he felt threatened by Mr Pierce's demeanour.

'Any injury caused would have been caused by Mr Lloyd taking action in self-defence.'

Speaking from his picturesque home in the North Wales countryside, Mr Lloyd said after the trial: 'I have suffered sleepless nights. It's had the same effect on my wife. I'm glad it's all over. It was very stressful. It's taken over our lives for the last six months.'

'On the day, the police officer asked 'are you prepared to come to the station? It's a voluntary interview. If you don't come, I will arrest you' – it wasn't much of a choice.

'I thought I was purely giving my side of the event. It turned out they were treating me as a suspect. They didn't make that clear.'

Mr Lloyd, who has medical problems with both hands and was charged in March, added: 'The amount of support I have had from clients is unbelievable.'

But Mr Pierce, 57, a grandad of one, who has held various jobs including for JCB and a charity, said at his mews home near the town centre of Denbigh: 'I'm no Victor Meldrew' – a reference to the grumpy TV character.

Mr Pierce, who has a faded 'Keep driveway clear' sign is at the entrance to the alleyway outside his home, said he felt 'let down by the court' having been refused permission to watch via videolink and not told of the verdict.

He added: 'It doesn't surprise me they found in his favour because of the way I was treated by everybody. The only nice people were victim support.'