Take pity on me, road rage convict says

A man who took a baseball bat to a car in a fit of rage has asked a St. John's judge to go easy on him when his sentence comes down.

Christopher Hollett, 33, told Judge David David Orr that he was out of control in June 2010 when he hit a man and then struck his van with a baseball bat after chasing the man through St. John's.

Hollett had chased Dennis Fleming after Fleming flipped Hollett a finger after being cut off in the Columbus Drive area. The chase ended at the parking lot of a gas station on Kenmount Road, where Fleming made an urgent call for help. A clerk at the station identified Hollett as the chasing driver.

The Crown says Hollett, who was tried on charges that include dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and assault with a weapon, should be given a sentence between 21 and 30 months. Hollett was also convicted of possession of an illegal weapon during an unrelated drug raid.

The defence is asking for a sentence of eight months.

In court Thursday, Hollett, a father of two with a history of drug addiction and breaching court orders, appealed for leniency.

Hollett told Orr his life fell apart when his mother died a year and a half ago. He said he slipped back into drugs, spiralled downward, lost contact with his family and still can't explain what snapped inside him the day he attacked the van with a bat.

He said he cannot change what happened, but is working on his problems with the help of counsellors and wants a chance to be a father to his children again.

Orr has until Friday next week to deliver the sentence.