Former gang member handed jail-time for road rage

KAMLOOPS – A former Kamloops gangster was handed five months in jail yesterday for a bad case of road rage.

"Road rage is one of those kinds of violences that can happen to anyone," said Kamloops provincial court Judge Stella Frame. "It shouldn't be tolerated."

Thomas Crawford pleaded guilty yesterday in Kamloops Provincial Court to one count of assault after an incident on May 15, 2011.

A man allegedly cut him off while driving which prompted Crawford to follow him, try and drive him off the road and follow him to his place of work.

"It's inconceivable that a person cutting someone off can bring about that kind of rage," Frame said.

Crawford awaits sentencing in November in the Lower Mainland on separate charges in relation to the kidnapping of a Vancouver man.

"Mr. Crawford is expected to be doing some considerable jail-time," said defence lawyer Graham Kay.

Kay said Crawford has 'quite publicly' renounced his gang ties.

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